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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 45

And when the seven days of her lying-in were fulfilled, she sendeth for us, and cometh to meet us at the door of the bedchamber, carrying also the child in the purple. And she bowed her head, saying: ‘Draw nigh, Fathers, to me and to the child which God hath granted unto me through your holy prayers.’ And she also gave the child into their hands that they might seal him. And the holy bishops sealed both her and the child with the seal of the cross; and when they had prayed, they sate down. And after they had had much heart-stirring speech together, the Lady saith unto them: ‘Know ye, Fathers, what I am resolved to do concerning your business? ‘And my lord Porphyry answered and said: ‘Whatsoever thou hast resolved, thou hast resolved with God; for in this night it was revealed unto my worthlessness by a vision that I was in Gaza, and that I stood in the house of the idols there that is called the Marneion, and that thy Piety gave unto me the Gospel, and said unto me: “Take, read.” And I having opened the book found the portion in which the Lord Christ saith unto Peter: “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock¹ I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” And thou, Lady, didst answer and say: “Peace be upon thee, be strong and quit thee like a man.” And upon this I awakened, and by this am I persuaded that the Son of God will work with thee for thy purpose. Now tell us, Lady, what thou hast resolved.’

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