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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 46

The Empress answered and said: ‘If it seem good unto Christ, after a few days it behoveth that the child receive holy baptism. Depart ye, therefore, and make a petition and request, setting down in order therein all things that ye desire, and when the babe cometh forth after the precious baptism, give the petition unto him that carrieth it; and I will teach him what to do, and I hope in the Son of God that he will order the whole matter according to the will of his compassion.’ And we, having received these commands, called many blessings upon her and upon the child, and went forth and departed and made the petition, setting down many things in the paper, not only the overturning of the idols, but also privileges for the holy church and the Christians, and a revenue to be provided; for the holy church was poor.