Phocas, St

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Phocas, St a 4th-century saint and martyr of Sinope on the Black Sea; a hermit, he was noted as a gardener, and used his produce to feed pilgrims. He is the patron saint of gardeners and agricultural workers, and sailors (perhaps because his name resembles Greek phoce ‘a seal’), and his emblem is a spade. His feast day is celebrated on various dates, especially, 22 September or 14 July.

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