Saint Porphyrius: A Greek Saint with a special place among Christians in the East, and particularly Palestinian Christians, took charge as the Bishop of Gaza City and led a campaign against paganism with the aid of the Byzantine Empire. Furthermore, he constructed a grand church in his name after his demise.
Early Life and Upbringing
Saint Porphyrios was born in 347 AD in the city of Thessaloniki (formerly known as Salonika) in northern Greece to devout noble parents, thus receiving a quality education and growing up in a committed environment.
Intellectual and Religious Experience
Influenced by his pious family, Porphyrios, despite his wealth, leaned towards monastic life in his youth. He traveled to Egypt, a significant religious center and home to Christian hermits at that time, where he spent time in the monasteries of Wadi Natrun and met numerous priests there.
Five years later, he relocated to the wilderness near the Jordan River and lived as a hermit in one of the caves. However, after suffering from a severe illness, he moved to Jerusalem for recovery. Upon healing, he began preaching to its inhabitants, urging them to read the Gospel and embrace Christianity.
Bishop of Gaza City
Following the death of the Bishop of Gaza in 395 AD, Porphyrios was appointed as his successor. Upon his arrival, he found the city had only one church and a handful of Christians, contrasted with eight pagan temples. He faced strong opposition from the pagans. Therefore, he journeyed to Constantinople, the Byzantine Empire’s capital, seeking support from Emperor Arcadius. Initially, the emperor hesitated, fearing the loss of Gaza’s tax revenues and customs if the inhabitants left. However, Empress Eudoxia encouraged the bishop.
Christian sources recount that Empress Eudoxia was barren, and when the saint learned of this, he prayed for her to give birth to a son. She promised to build a church if her wish came true, which it did. Following the child’s birth, Porphyrios managed to erect a new grand church in 402 AD over the greatest and most opulent pagan temple, Marneion, ordered and financially supported by the emperor. The church was consecrated in 407 AD and initially named after the empress but later renamed after Saint Porphyrios following his death.
The emperor then issued a decree commanding the destruction of the pagan temples in Gaza and the restoration of privileges to its Christians. Hence, churches replaced pagan temples, and Christianity spread throughout the city.
Saint Porphyrius Church
Located east of Gaza City, it stands as the world’s third oldest church, built in the early 5th century. Named after Saint Porphyrios, it also houses his grave.
The church occupies 216 square meters with 1.8-meter-thick stones and comprises two main parts: the nave that accommodates approximately 500 worshippers, and the sanctuary dedicated to religious rituals.
Constructed in the Byzantine style, its walls and the raised dome supported by marble columns are adorned with images and paintings of significant Christian figures and inscriptions and hymns that narrate Saint Porphyrios’s fight against paganism in Gaza.
Over time, parts of the church eroded, suffering damage from historical wars and natural disasters that befell the region. The church adopted a ship-like shape after restorations made in the late Ottoman era.
On October 19, 2023, the church was bombed during an Israeli military assault on Gaza, causing severe damage to its halls and structure.
Death
Historians debate his year of death, with some stating it was in 419 AD while others suggest 450 AD. However, they concur he died in Gaza City, with his tomb located in the church’s northeastern corner.
