Saint Phocas, sometimes called Phocas the Gardener (Greek: Φωκᾶς), is venerated as a martyr by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. His life and legend may have been a fusion of three men with the same name: a Phocas of Antioch, a Phocas the Gardener and Phocas, Bishop of Sinope.[2]
Christian tradition states that he was a gardener who lived at Sinope, on the Black Sea, who used his crops to feed the poor and aided persecuted Christians.[3] During the persecutions of Diocletian, he provided hospitality to the soldiers who were sent to execute him. The soldiers, not knowing that their host was their intended victim, agreed to his hospitality. Phocas also offered to help them find the person they were seeking.[4]
As the soldiers slept, Phocas dug his own grave and prayed. He made arrangements for all his possessions to be distributed to the poor after his death.[3] In the morning, when the soldiers awoke, Phocas revealed his identity.
The soldiers hesitated and offered to report to their commander that their search had been fruitless. Phocas refused this offer and bared his neck. He was then decapitated and buried in the grave that he had dug for himself.[3]
VenerationEdit
He is mentioned by Saint Asterius of Amasia (ca. 400). The name Phocas seems to derive from the Greek word for "seal" (phoke/φώκη), which may explain his patronage of sailors and mariners. A sailors' custom was to serve Phocas a portion of every meal; this was called "the portion of St. Phocas." This portion was bought by one of the voyagers and the price was deposited in the hands of the captain. When the ship came into port, the money was distributed among the poor, in thanksgiving to their benefactor for their successful voyage. He is mentioned in the work by Laurentius Surius. This tradition may be connected to a similar practice among sailors in the Baltic Sea of giving food offerings to an invisible sprite known as the Klabautermann.[5]
Other Gardener SaintsEdit
Saint Conon the Gardener (or of Pamphylia, Palestine, or Magydos)
^ abc"Martyr Phocas the Gardener of Sinope", Orthodox Church in America
^“1 July“. A Year with the Saints, 1891. CatholicSaints.Info. 7 November 2019 This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^Kirby, David, and Merja-Liisa Hinkkanen (2000). The Baltic and the North Seas. London: Routledge, p. 48–9. ISBN0-415-13282-7.
St. Phocas is mentioned in W.H. Auden's poem Horae Canonicae Sext I Verse 6, 2nd line
External linksEdit
"St. Phocas, Gardener, Martyr", Butler's Lives of the Saints
St Phocas
Saint Phocas
(in Italian) San Foca l'Ortolano
August 25, 2023
saint, phocas, bishop, saint, phocas, bishop, sinope, sometimes, called, phocas, gardener, greek, Φωκᾶς, venerated, martyr, catholic, eastern, orthodox, churches, life, legend, have, been, fusion, three, with, same, name, phocas, antioch, phocas, gardener, pho. For the bishop saint see Phocas Bishop of Sinope Saint Phocas sometimes called Phocas the Gardener Greek Fwkᾶs is venerated as a martyr by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches His life and legend may have been a fusion of three men with the same name a Phocas of Antioch a Phocas the Gardener and Phocas Bishop of Sinope 2 Saint PhocasMiniature from the Menologion of Basil IIDied 303 AD 1 Venerated inRoman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox ChurchMajor shrineRelics were claimed by Vienne and AntiochFeastMarch 5 July 23 or September 22 citation needed Patronagegardeners market gardeners hospitality agricultural workers farmers fieldhands husbandmen sailors mariners watermen Contents 1 History 2 Veneration 3 Other Gardener Saints 4 Notes 5 External linksHistory EditChristian tradition states that he was a gardener who lived at Sinope on the Black Sea who used his crops to feed the poor and aided persecuted Christians 3 During the persecutions of Diocletian he provided hospitality to the soldiers who were sent to execute him The soldiers not knowing that their host was their intended victim agreed to his hospitality Phocas also offered to help them find the person they were seeking 4 As the soldiers slept Phocas dug his own grave and prayed He made arrangements for all his possessions to be distributed to the poor after his death 3 In the morning when the soldiers awoke Phocas revealed his identity The soldiers hesitated and offered to report to their commander that their search had been fruitless Phocas refused this offer and bared his neck He was then decapitated and buried in the grave that he had dug for himself 3 Veneration EditHe is mentioned by Saint Asterius of Amasia ca 400 The name Phocas seems to derive from the Greek word for seal phoke fwkh which may explain his patronage of sailors and mariners A sailors custom was to serve Phocas a portion of every meal this was called the portion of St Phocas This portion was bought by one of the voyagers and the price was deposited in the hands of the captain When the ship came into port the money was distributed among the poor in thanksgiving to their benefactor for their successful voyage He is mentioned in the work by Laurentius Surius This tradition may be connected to a similar practice among sailors in the Baltic Sea of giving food offerings to an invisible sprite known as the Klabautermann 5 Other Gardener Saints EditSaint Conon the Gardener or of Pamphylia Palestine or Magydos Saint Serenus Saint FiacreNotes Edit His date of death is sometimes given as 117 AD and that he was killed during the reign of Trajan Phocas of Sinope The Oxford Dictionary of Saints HighBeam Research a b c Martyr Phocas the Gardener of Sinope Orthodox Church in America 1 July A Year with the Saints 1891 CatholicSaints Info 7 November 2019 This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain Kirby David and Merja Liisa Hinkkanen 2000 The Baltic and the North Seas London Routledge p 48 9 ISBN 0 415 13282 7 St Phocas is mentioned in W H Auden s poem Horae Canonicae Sext I Verse 6 2nd lineExternal links Edit St Phocas Gardener Martyr Butler s Lives of the Saints Patron Saints Index St Phocas Saint Phocas in Italian San Foca l Ortolano Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Saint Phocas amp oldid 1151846454, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
