Saint Porphyry, Archbishop of Gaza, was born around the year 346 in Thessalonica, in Macedonia. His parents were wealthy people, and this allowed St. Porphyry to receive a good education. Having a penchant for monastic life, at the age of twenty-five he left his homeland and went to Egypt, where he asceticized on Mount Nitria under the guidance of St. Macarius the Great (January 19). There he met with Blessed Jerome, who was visiting Egyptian monasteries at that time, and together with him went to Jerusalem to worship the holy places and the Life-giving Cross of the Lord (September 14), after which he settled in the Jordan desert for prayer and fasting. There Saint Porphyry fell into a serious illness. 
He decided to go to the holy places of Jerusalem for healing. One day, when he was lying at the foot of Golgotha in complete relaxation and oblivion, the Lord visited His slave in a saving dream. Saint Porphyry saw Jesus Christ coming down from the Cross and addressing him with the words: "Receive this Tree and keep it." When he woke up, he felt healthy. The Savior's words were soon fulfilled: the Patriarch of Jerusalem ordained Saint Porphyry to the priesthood and appointed him guardian of the Precious Tree of the Holy Cross. At that time, Saint Porphyry received his share of the parental inheritance – 4 thousand gold coins. He distributed all of them to the needy and to decorate the temples of God.
In 395, the bishop of the city of Gaza (in Palestine) died. Local Christians went to Caesarea to Metropolitan John with a request to appoint them a new bishop who could counteract the pagans who prevailed in their city and oppressed Christians. The Lord inspired the metropolitan to summon the Jerusalem presbyter Porfiry. With fear and trembling, the ascetic accepted holy orders, worshiped the Life-giving Tree with tears, and set off to fulfill his new obedience.
In Gaza, he found only three Christian churches, and a great many pagan temples and idols. At that time, there was no rain and a great drought. The priests sacrificed to the idols, but the disaster did not stop. Saint Porphyry appointed a fast for all Christians, held an all-night vigil and went around the whole city with a procession. Immediately, the sky was covered with clouds, thunder rumbled and heavy rain fell. Seeing such a miracle, many pagans exclaimed, "Christ alone is the True God!" After this event, 127 men, 35 women and 14 children joined the Church, receiving Holy Baptism, and soon 110 more people.
However, the pagans continued to oppress Christians, remove them from public office, and burden them with taxes. Saint Porphyry and Metropolitan John of Caesarea went to Constantinople to ask for protection from the emperor. They were received by St. John Chrysostom (commemorated on September 14, January 27, January 30) and provided effective assistance.
Saints John and Porphyry were introduced to Empress Eudoxia, who was expecting a child at the time. "Work for us," the bishops told the Empress, "and the Lord will send you a son who will reign during your lifetime." Evdoksia really wanted to have a son, because she had had daughters before. Indeed, an heir was born into the imperial family through the prayer of the saints. In 401, the emperor issued a decree on the destruction of idolatrous temples in Gaza and granting privileges to Christians. In addition, the Empress gave the saints funds to build a new temple, which was built in Gaza on the site of the most important temple.
By the end of his life, Saint Porphyry had fully established Christianity in Gaza and completely protected his flock from the oppression of pagans. Through the prayers of the saint, numerous miracles and healings were performed. For 25 years, the archpastor mentored the verbal flock and passed away at an advanced age, in 420.