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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 56

So when we had sailed from Rhodes and made a good voyage for two days, the weather being fair, of a sudden a storm ariseth, winds and lightnings and thunders, and very great waves, and the waves were uplifted and became as high mountains, and the ship was tossed on high so that we seemed to touch the clouds. And there were cries and tears and prayers to God, and we besought also the prayers of the holy Procopius, the anchorite. And when the evening came and the storm abated not, we continued without sleep the whole of that night. But about dawn, being wearied with their great affliction, the most holy bishops fell asleep for a little while; and in his sleep my lord Porphyry seeth Saint Procopius, the anchorite, saying unto them: ‘Instruct the owner of the ship and seal him again (for he is of the abominable heresy of Arius) and prepare him to call Arius accursed and his evil faith, and straightway this so great tempest shall cease. For it is because he is of the said heresy that he would not suffer you to come unto me. However, do ye instruct him, for he will receive the true doctrine from you.’