Английская Википедия:Church of Saint Porphyrius

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The Church of Saint Porphyrius (Шаблон:Lang-el, Шаблон:IPA; Шаблон:Lang-ar) is a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City, State of Palestine. It belongs to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and is the oldest active church in the city and is said to be the third oldest church in the world. Located in the Zaytun Quarter of the Old City of Gaza, it is named after the 5th-century bishop of Gaza, Saint Porphyrius, whose tomb is situated in the northeastern corner of the church.

History

Crusader and Byzantine eras

A church was built on the site as early as AD 425, but the construction of the current church was undertaken by the Crusaders in the 1150s or 1160s; they dedicated it to St Porphyrius. In the seventh century, the church had been converted into a mosque. Records from the 15th century show that the church may have also been dedicated to the Virgin Mary.The church was renovated in 1856.

At the age of 45, the Patriarch of Jerusalem appointed Saint Porphyrius as custodian of the Venerable Wood of the Cross of the Lord. He was described by the Roman Christian hagiographer Mark the Deacon as the Christianizer of the "disobedient pagan people of Gaza."According to the legend, there was a terrible drought in Gaza that ended only after Saint Porphyrios and a group of 280 Christians prayed to God with "fasting, vigil and procession." This led to the conversion of 25 pagans, as rain in this region was considered God's greatest gift.

Architecture

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Church of St. Porphyrius and minaret

There are some cornices and bases that date back to the Crusader period, but much of the other portions are later additions.The church is rectangular shape in shape, with a half-domed roofed temple. Its pavement Шаблон:Convert below ground level in its southern part, and Шаблон:Convert below ground level at the northern end, suggesting that the present building was built atop of an earlier church structure. The church consists of a single aisle made up of two groin-vaulted bays, with a projecting semi-circular apse preceded by a barrel-vaulted presbytery. Internally, the building measures Шаблон:Convert by Шаблон:Convert, including the apse. It has architectural and constructional similarities with the former Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist (currently the Great Mosque of Gaza).

The church has three entrances. The western entrance has a portico with three marble columns supporting two pointed arches. The bases of the marbles date from the Crusader era. The church can also be entered from its façade or from a side door which opens onto a modern gallery, equipped with stairs for going down to the level of the pavement. Its colossal walls are supported by horizontal marble and granite columns and pilasters.

Hamas–Israeli conflict

In the 2014 Gaza War, around 2,000 Palestinians slept in the church during Israeli bombings.The church was again used as refuge during the 2023-24 Israel–Hamas war, resulting in the damage of two halls. In October 2023, it was the site of the Church of Saint Porphyrius airstrike. The strike, confirmed by church officials, hit two halls providing shelter to civilians, causing the collapse of at least one building. Between 16–18 Palestinians were killed.

Despite these reports, the church continues to host regular worship services.

See also

• Holy Family Church, Gaza, Latin Catholic church of Gaza City
• Gaza Baptist Church, Protestant church of Gaza City

Bibliography

• Шаблон:Cite book (pp. 381-3
• Шаблон:Cite book
• Шаблон:Cite book
• Шаблон:Cite book
• Шаблон:Cite book