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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza
Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913
Chapter 52
Now when we had passed the rest of the winter and spent the holy Paschal days and the day of the Resurrection,1 we made ready to sail away. And we asked the admirable Amantius to make known our departure unto his mistress that we might take leave of her. And he when he heard it was grieved that we intended to sail away; for he loved us so much, that he himself asked his mistress to give him leave that he might go to make his prayers at the holy and venerable places. But his mistress feared to give him leave, lest when he came thither he should become a monk and remain there; for she knew the manner of life of the man. For he was in sooth blameless,2 giving much alms, and always fasting, and entertaining many strangers and ready to help the necessities of the pious. So much concerning Amantius, beloved of God. But he brought knowledge of us to his mistress and we went in to her, and she saith to the most holy bishops: ‘When, with God’s will, do ye sail? ‘And they said, ‘For this reason have we come hither, to take leave of your Majesty.’ And she said: ‘Remember always me and my child.’
Notes
- Resurrection. April 6, 402.
- he was in sooth blameless. To Amantius is attributed the foundation of the Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle at Constantinople.