Solemnities, Feasts, Obligatory and Optional Memorials, and Traditional Dates of Commemoration
- Nestor, bishop and martyr
- Alexander of Alexandria, bishop
- Porphyry, bishop
- Victor or Vittre the Hermit
St. Porphyry or Porphyrius of Gaza (ca. 353-412 A.D.) was a bishop of Gaza known for his generosity to the poor. He was born in Thessalonika and at twenty-five went to live as a monk for five years in the desert of Skete. He spent the next five years as a hermit in Palestine in a cave near the river Jordan. He became crippled by illness and used a walking stick to visit the holy places. It was while in Jerusalem that he first Mark, who would become his deacon and biographer.
Porphyry sent Mark back to Thessalonika to sell his property for distribution to the poor. When Mark returned to Jerusalem, he found Porphyry restored to full health. In 393 A.D., the bishop of Jerusalem ordained Porphyry a priest. Three years later, at 43 years of age, he was elected bishop of Gaza without his knowledge. Porphyry had difficulties in working at his see because it was comprised of both pagans and Christians. Eventually, Porphyry received permission from the Emperor to destroy the remaining pagan temples so he could build a cruciform church on the site once occupied by a pagan temple. Porphyry spent the remaining thirteen years of his life in active pastoral service of his people. [1]
St. Porphyry's is commemorated today, February 26, by the Catholic Church, and also commemorated as a feast in both the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches. [2]
Saints in the Byzantine Calendar [February 26]
- Porphyrius, Archbishop of Gaza
- St. Sebastian, Martyr
- St. Photina of Samaria, Martyr
St. Photina was the name attributed to the Samaritan woman of Sychar whom Jesus conversed with at a well (John 4). Stories handed down from generation to generation say that she preached the gospel, was imprisoned for three years, and died for the Christian faith at Carthage. She is commemorated today, February 26, in the Byzantine Calendar. In the Catholic Church, she is commemorated on March 20. [2]
References: Books
[1] Lives of the Saints, by Richard P. McBrien
[2] Dictionary of Saints, by John J. Delaney