Saint Porphyrius
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Porphyrius was bishop of Gaza from 395 to 420, known, from the account in his Life, for Christianizing the recalcitrant pagan city of Gaza, and demolishing its temples.
16th century fresco in a monastery of Mount Athos, Greece
Icon of St. Porphyrius
Dagon
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Dagon or Dagan was a god worshipped in ancient Syria, across the middle of the Euphrates, with primary temples located in Tuttul and Terqa, though many attestations of his cult come from cities such a
Saint Porphyrius
…but a drought followed the same year, and the pagans "imputed the thing to the coming of the blessed man, saying that 'It was revealed unto us by Marnas that the feet of Porphyrius bring bad luck to the city'." (Vita 19–20) Further harassment followed (Vita 21, 25) with the support of local officials…
Statue of Dagon/Marnas from Gaza portrayed in the style of Zeus. Roman period Dagon/Marnas was the chief divinity of Gaza (Istanbul Archaeology Museum).
A Ugaritic stele detailing a sacrifice for Dagan, c. 13th century BCE
"Apkallu" relief from Khorsabad