March 5th 4th century

Saint Phocas of Antioch

Martyr

Feast
March 5th
Death
vers 320

Saint Phocas is a martyr of Antioch who lived around the year 320. He is traditionally invoked in the East for protection against snake bites.

Guided reading

3 reading sections

TWO OTHER SAINTS BY THE NAME OF PHOCAS.

Context 01 / 03

Distinction between the three Saints Phocas

The text introduces a necessary distinction, supported by the Bollandists, between three distinct saints bearing the name Phocas.

This is the place to note with the Bollandists that there are three different Saints by the name of Phocas: 1° Saint Phocas, martyr of Antioch, mar Saint Phocas, martyr d'Antioche 4th-century martyr invoked against snake bites. ked on March 5 in the martyrology, is invoked in the East against the bite of serpents (circa 320);

Life 02 / 03

Saint Phocas of Sinope

Presentation of the Bishop of Sinope, martyr under Trajan, famous for having resurrected his judge before being executed.

Saint Phocas, Bishop of Sinope Saint Phocas, évêque de Sinope Bishop and martyr of the 2nd century under Emperor Trajan. , in Pontus, martyred under Tra jan at Trajan Roman emperor mentioned for his rescript to Pliny the Younger. the beginning of the 2nd century. His acts, reported on July 14 by the Bollandists, recount that, having been summoned before the governor of the province, named Africanu Africanus Provincial governor and judge of Phocas of Sinope. s, an earthquake occurred which overturned the judge's tribunal and buried him under the rubble. Saint Phocas recalled the infidel to life; but this miracle, far from opening his eyes, only irritated him further: he had the holy bishop plunged into boiling pitch, who, after having undergone various other tortures, had his head severed;

Source 03 / 03

Rectification of historical errors

Critical analysis denouncing Father Giry's confusion between Phocas of Antioch and Phocas the Gardener, and the re-establishment of liturgical dates.

Saint Phocas the Gardener Saint Phocas le Jardinier The third saint named Phocas mentioned, often confused with the one from Antioch. , whose edifying martyrdom we have just provided.

Father Giry therefore made a mistake when he conflated the Acts of Phocas the Gardener with those of Phocas, martyr of Antioch. We have removed the life he provides for the first of March and moved this life to September 22, in agreement with the learned authors of the Acta Sa Acta Sanctorum Monumental hagiographic collection by the Bollandists. nctorum and all critical scholarship.

Excerpt from the Complete Works of Sain saint Jean Chrysostome Predecessor of Tryphon cited as an example of a holy and persecuted bishop. t John Chrysostom, translated for the first time into French under the direction of M. Jeannin. Bar-le-Duc, Célestins typography, formerly the house of L. Guérin, publisher.

Official source Les Petits Bollandistes, by Mgr Paul GUÉRIN, chamberlain to His Holiness Pius IX.