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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 41

But the Emperor, when he heard it, was vexed, and said: ‘I know that that city is idolatrous, but it is well-disposed in the matter of the paying of taxes, contributing much money. If therefore we come suddenly upon them, and affright them, they will flee and we shall lose so much tribute. But if it seem good, we shall afflict them piecemeal, taking away the dignities from the idol-madmen, and the other civic offices, and will command their temples to be shut up and to give oracles no longer. For when they are afflicted and brought altogether into a strait place, they will acknowledge the truth. For a change that is over-sudden is a heavy thing for subjects to bear.’ But the Empress when she heard it was sore grieved (for she was fervent in the faith), but answered not the Emperor save only this: ‘The Lord is able to succour his servants the Christians, whether we wish it or whether we wish it not.’ These things the God-fearing Amantius, the chamberlain, related unto us.