February 26
St. Prophyry
Porphyry was born in the 4th century to wealthy parents. He lived in Thessalonica in the northern part of Greece. When he was 25, he left home and went to Jesus to join a monastery.
After 5 years, he went to the Holy Land so he could see first-hand the sacred places where Jesus lived and walked. While he was there, he was taken aback by the poverty of some, something he had not known in Thessalonica where he grew up. He still had the estate that was left him by his parents. He asked his trusted friend Mark to go home and sell all he owned and bring him the money. In about three months’ time, Mark brought the proceeds to Porphyry who then gave all that he had to the poor.
Porphyry became a priest when he was forty. He was given the task of caring for the relics of the true cross of Jesus. He was eventually made Bishop of Gaza and continued to spend all of his time teaching people about Jesus and encouraging them to give up their pagan ways. While he inspired many early Christians who loved him, he also had enemies who made his life very difficult. Porphyry died in the year 420 after a lifetime of service in the name of the Lord.
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