Fast, concise facts and information about Saint Phocas
The following provides fast and concise facts and information: - The patron of Gardeners and Gardens
- Born: Sinope, on the Black Sea, Turkey
- Memorial Day / Feast Day: July 23rd
- Date of Death: Saint Phocas died in A.D. 303
- Cause of Death: Beheaded
Who or what is Saint Phocas the patron saint of?
Saint Phocas is the patron of Gardeners. Meanings, definition and origins - a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf. The Story and History of Saint Phocas
The story and history of Saint Phocas. Saint Phocas was born at Sinope, on the Black Sea, Turkey. Sinope was a Roman province under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian (r.284-305). Emperor Diocletian mounted some of the fiercest persecutions of the early Church especially in the East of the Empire. Saint Phocas was a gardener and converted to the Christian faith. He was known to give his produce to the poor. He was arrested and sentenced to death for his faith under the persecution of Christians by the Emperor. He is said to have dug his own grave prior to his death by beheading. Death of Saint Phocas
There are two categories of saints: martyrs and confessors. A Christian martyr is regarded as one who is put to death for his Christian faith or convictions. Confessors are people who died natural deaths. Date of Death: Saint Phocas died in A.D. 303. Cause of Death: Beheaded. Why is Saint Phocas the patron of Gardeners?
Why is Saint Phocas is the patron of Gardeners? Because this was his profession and he used his crops to feed the poor. How Saint Phocas is represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Phocas in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Phocas is represented in Christian Art in the dress and with the implements of a gardener.
Feast Day of Saint Phocas
The Feast Day of Saint Phocas is July 23rd. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint's feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven. | 