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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza
Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913
Chapter 48
Now we stood in the vestibule of the holy church, having also the paper of the petition, and when he came forth after the baptism,1 we cried out saying: ‘We make petition of thy Piety,’ stretching forth also the paper. And he that carried the babe, beholding it, and knowing our business (for he had been taught beforehand by his mistress), commanded that the paper be shown unto him, and when he received it, he stood still. And he commanded that there should be silence, and opened the paper and read a portion, and having rolled it up he placed his hand under the head of the babe, and bowed it, and cried out before all the people: ‘Their Majesty hath commanded that the things which are in the petition be done.’ And all they that beheld marvelled and worshipped the Emperor, calling him blessed, because he was found worthy to see in his own days a son reigning; and he was lifted up with pride when he heard them. And tidings were brought beforehand to the Empress Eudoxia also of that which had been done by her child, and she was glad and fell upon her knees and gave thanks to God.
Notes
- after the baptism. He appears to have been baptized by Severianus of Gabala, in the absence of Saint John Chrysostom (Nuth, p. 16).