This aged martyr was eminent for his confessions from the very first day of the persecution. In early manhood he had served as a soldier, before receiving Holy Orders.
Dr. Meyer (History of the City of Gaza, p. 60. New York, 1907) states that "the first Christian martyr of Gaza whose name is known is the Bishop Sylvanus, who met his death in 285." Eusebius (Ecclesiastical History, Book VIII, Chap. XIII), however, remarks that Sylvanus was "beheaded with thirty-nine others at the Copper Mines of Phœne." Early Christians of Gaza were not infrequently martyred at headquarters in Cæsarea (Palestinæ).
a.d. 308. John, a student of Holy Writ and of wonderful memory, was associated with Sylvanus. He endured many tortures and was decapitated with his Bishop.
a.d. 308. Hatha (St. Thea), a virgin of Gaza, suffered martyrdom under Firmilian in Cæsarea.
a.d. 361. During the reign of Julian, the pagans of Gaza attempted to destroy the church built by St. Hilarion. During this revolt, Eusebius, a Gaza Christian, with his brothers Nestabis and Zeno, were thrown into prison, beheaded, and their bodies were burned outside the city walls, on a spot used for the disposal of dead animals.
This persecution induced all the Christians to leave Gaza. The case was brought to the attention of the Emperor. It seems that the heathen governor of Gaza had imprisoned the citizens who had abused the Christians, whereupon Julian exiled him.
About the same date, Nestor—a Confessor (according to the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, Lives of the Saints)—was killed of wounds inflicted by the populace.
a.d. 1370. The Franciscan Chronicles of the fourteenth century relate that a Franciscan friar, John of Naples, went from Jerusalem to Gaza, and was subjected to a cruel martyrdom.
a.d. 1555. Two French pilgrims were arrested at Gaza, and on their refusing to renounce the religion of Christ were put to death. Their bodies, carried away by the Christians, were buried under Orthodox Greek auspices.[26]