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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 66

So they spent ten days¹ overthrowing the temples of the idols, and after the said days they took counsel concerning the Marneion also, how they should deal with it. For some said that it should be digged down, and others burned down, and others that the place should be purified and consecrated unto a church of God, and there was much searching out of this matter. And at the last the holy bishop proclaimeth a fast to the people, and a prayer, that the Lord may reveal unto them how they must do. And having fasted on that day and prayed unto God concerning this matter, in the evening they celebrated the Holy Communion. But during the celebration of the Communion, a child of about seven years, which was standing with his own mother, cried out suddenly, saying: ‘Burn ye the inner temple unto the foundation; for many terrible things have been done in it, especially the sacrifices of human beings.² And after this manner burn ye it: bring liquid pitch³ and sulphur and fat of swine, and mingle the three and anoint the brazen doors and set fire to them, and so shall all the temple be burned; for otherwise is it not possible. But the outer temple leave ye with the court. And after the burning, having purified the place, found there a holy church.’ And he said also this: ‘I swear unto you before God, otherwise may it not be done; for neither is it I that speak, but Christ who is within me.’ These words did he speak in the language of the Syrians. But when they heard they all marvelled and glorified God.

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