Porphyrius of Antioch

Holy Hierarch Porphyrius of Antioch ascended the archiepiscopal throne of Antioch in 404, after the death of St Flavian, and died around the year 414.

He was placed on the throne by the opponents of St John Chrysostom and compromised himself by his actions against him. The supporters of Chrysostom separated from him, and Porphyrius held the throne only with the help of imperial power.

The most detailed source about him is Palladius, a fervent supporter of Chrysostom and an enemy of Porphyrius, who portrays him as a clever but base intriguer, a flatterer and persecutor of Chrysostom, and an opponent of his predecessor Flavian. On the other hand, Blessed Theodoret of Cyrrhus testifies that Porphyrius left in Antioch many monuments of his goodness and prudence. In a letter to Dioscorus, Theodoret calls him blessed and of holy memory, adorned with a shining life and knowledge of the divine teachings.

His name is not found in the present calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church. He is commemorated on 14 December, in the new style.