Holy Martyr Porphyrius — September 15 / September 28 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 15 according to the Julian Calendar (September 28 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Porphyrius.

The Holy Martyr Porphyrius suffered under the reign of Julian the Apostate (361–363). Porphyrius was an actor, and on the emperor’s birthday he performed in the theater a role in which the mystery of Baptism was to be mocked; but as he was lowered into the water during the performance and pronounced the words, ‘The servant of God Porphyrius is baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,’ the grace of the Holy Spirit descended upon him, and coming up out of the water he openly confessed Christianity. Julian at once ordered the blessed one to be cruelly tortured and then beheaded. This took place in the city of Ephesus in the year 361.