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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 37

And we having heard the words of the holy man and believed on that which he said, received his blessing and departed; and putting to sea on that day, we sailed and after other ten days¹ came to Byzantium. And having taken a lodging, on the next day we went to the most holy archbishop John. And he, when he knew who we were, received us with much honour and tendance. And he inquired of us for what reason we had endured to travel, and we related it unto him. And when he knew it, he remembered that some time before we had made this same prayer unto him by letters; and he knew me again and saluted me kindly. But he exhorteth us not to be discouraged, but to have hope in the mercies of God. And he said to us: ‘I indeed have not power to speak with the Emperor; for the Empress hath kindled his wrath against me, because I accused her concerning a possession² which she desired and took away by force. To me indeed it maketh no matter, that he is wroth therefor, neither do I give heed unto it, for they hurt themselves, not me; for even if they hurt my body, they profit my soul much more. Howbeit, let us leave this thing to the tender mercy of God. But concerning your ordinance, if it shall seem good to the Lord, to-morrow I send for the eunuch Amantius, who is the chief officer³ of the Empress, having much favour in her eyes, and verily a servant of God; and I impart the matter unto him, and he will be exceeding zealous, if Christ will.’ And we, having received from him these commands and his blessing, departed unto our lodging.

Notes

after other ten days. i.e. about October 16, 401.
a possession. The estate of the widow of Theognostus, which was seized by the empress. See Draeseke, Gesamm. Patr. Untersuchungen, pp. 227, 241 ff., where other references are given.
chief officer. καστρήσιον, castrensem. The full title is comes et castrensis sacri Palatii. The office was probably one of those instituted by Diocletian. As the name shows, the castrensis was in essence and origin a quartermaster; but he was responsible for a great part of the domestic administration and also for the upkeep of the buildings of the Palace.