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Life of St Porphyry, Bishop of Gaza
Mark the Deacon, tr. Hill, 1913
Chapter 87
But after some days Saint Porphyry, having been informed by certain of the believers, sent for her and questioned her, who she was and whence and what manner of belief she held. And she confessed both her country and that she was a Manichaean. And when they that stood around him were moved with wrath (for there were certain devout men with him), the blessed man besought them not to be angered, but with patience to exhort her a first and a second time, observing the saying of the holy apostle.1 Then saith he to the woman: ‘Abstain, Sister, from this evil belief; for it is of Satan.’ But she answered: ‘Speak and hear, and either persuade or be persuaded.’ And the blessed man said: ‘Prepare thyself against the morrow and present thyself here.’ So she took her leave and departed. But the blessed man, having fasted and prayed much unto Christ that he would shame the devil, prepared himself against the next day, and called certain of the devout, both clergy and laymen, to hear the dispute between himself and the woman.
Notes
- Tit. iii. 10.