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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 24

And all the evening and the night there was instant prayer over him; for all the brethren were gathered together. And the holy bishop ceased not from weeping and praying unto God for him; for he knew how godly a zeal he had. But when God saw the tears of the holy priest, and the entreaties of the people (for they held him to be a second Phineas¹ against the idolaters), he quickened his mercy towards him, and in that night he openeth his eyes, and beginneth to speak, and to ask that drink be given to him. But I, who sate beside him, straightway ran to tell the blessed bishop; for by reason of my great joy I forgat to give him the drink; even as happened ² to the maid with the blessed apostle Peter, when, hearing the voice of Saint Peter, for joy she opened not the door but left him there and first went and told them who were in the house. Somewhat after this manner was it also with me. But when the blessed bishop heard it, he was not moved by affection³ but continued steadfast in prayer; and we perceiving his firmness and immovableness left him, and went away, I and the deacon Cornelius, beloved of God; for he was sitting with me beside the blessed Barochas. But when the most holy bishop had ended his prayers and the whole office,⁴ he also came and sate with us, and questioned the God-fearing Barochas how it had happened to him from the beginning, and he told us all things in order.

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