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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza

Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913

Chapter 80

But a great marvel came to pass on that day. There be wells within the enclosure of the temple, whereof there is one to the southward of the present holy church of God, having no small depth. Now three boys, being athirst, went aside to drink, and coming nigh to the mouth of the well bended over, leaning upon the wood that was over the mouth, as children do; and the wood brake, and the three fell into the well. And some who were there went and told the people of that which had come to pass; and there was no small tumult, all men running together to the well. But when he learned what had come to pass, the most holy Porphyry himself also ran to the place, and bade them keep silence, and when they were silent he began to pray and beseech God with many tears that he would keep the children alive and unharmed, and especially because of the idol-madmen, that they may not say: ‘Where is their God on whom they hoped? ‘And when he had spent one hour¹ lying upon the ground, he arose and bade some one go down by the ropes of the buckets, to make search for the boys. For the multitude were shouting out, calling the children, and there was none that gave ear to them from below out of the well.

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