Saint Phocas the Gardener

The tomb of Saint Phocas saint Phocas Martyr at Sinope, patron saint of gardeners and sailors. was the pride and palladium of his homeland. From the middle of the seas, navigators saluted it from afar like a sacred lighthouse. "Those who cross the Euxine Sea," adds Saint Asteri saint Astère Hagiographical author cited as a source. us, "those also who sail on the Adriatic Sea, on the Aegean Sea, on the Eastern and Western Ocean, soften the troubles of navigation with hymns to the glory of the holy Martyr; they have the name of Phocas constantly on their lips, and he often gives them particular marks of his powerful protection. At night, when a great storm threatens the vessel, he goes to wake the pilot who is sleeping near the rudder, tightens the ropes himself, directs the sail, and stands on the prow to signal and turn away from the reefs. It is a custom observed among sailors to invite Saint Phocas to their table; but, because he has no body and does not actually eat, they have devised an ingenious way to satisfy their piety: they set aside the Martyr's portion, which is bought by one of those present; another buys it the next day, and so on, so that everyone takes it and pays for it in turn. Then, when the ship has entered the port, the proceeds of these sales are distributed to the poor whom Phocas feeds after his death, just as he did in his life. Princes have no less veneration than the people for his memory. The humble house he inhabited on earth is enriched with magnificent gifts. Young people enjoy visiting it as much as the elders. The barbarians themselves compete with us to pay their duty to the poor gardener. One of them gave his gold crown laden with precious stones and his breastplate of precious material, for the barbarians have a taste for fine weapons; he gave them to God through the intercession of the Martyr, whom he asked to make them acceptable to the Lord, wishing to acknowledge by this kind of tribute that he owed Him his courage and power."

Byzantium envied S inope Sinope Episcopal see of one of the saints named Phocas. its treasure; it obtained that a portion of the holy remains be transferred within its walls. Joh Jean Patriarch of Constantinople whose support caused the exile of Anatolius. n presided over the translation, which was celebrated for two days in a row. First, the precious relics were carried triumphantly through the streets and squares of the queen city, amidst a moved crowd. The entire court, the emperor himself, followed on foot. The next day, t hey cros Bosphore Strait crossed during the translation of the relics. sed the Bosphorus, which was covered with richly decorated and illuminated boats. The entire city had transported itself to the islets to accompany its new protector to the solemn dwelling that had been assigned to him on the coast of Asia, in a place that has since borne his name.

Saint Phocas is represented: 1° cultivating a small garden; 2° offering hospitality to the soldiers sent by M aximian-Herculiu Maximien-Hercule Roman co-emperor, instigator of the persecution. s to put him to death; 3° digging his grave while the lictors sleep in his house.