Phokas of Sinope (Bishop)

Holy Hieromartyr Phocas, Bishop of Sinope.

St. Phokas served as bishop of Sinope on the Black Sea in the early centuries of the Church, shepherding his flock with holiness during the age of persecutions. Remaining faithful to Christ, he was put to death for his confession and is honored as a hieromartyr.

From ancient times he has been venerated as a protector of those who sail the seas, and churches along the coasts were dedicated to his name. In addition to his principal feast in September, his memory is also kept on August 22.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Phokas of Sinope (Bishop) is commemorated on August 22. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on September 4 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Fokas

Also commemorated on August 22

• Agathonikos of Nicomedia

  Martyr, Αγαθόνικος

  Holy Martyr Agathonikos of Nicomedia and those with him.

  Name days: Agathonikos, Agathonikis, Agathoniki

• Anthousa of Seleucia

  Holy Woman, Ανθούσα

  Venerable Anthousa of Seleucia, with the Hieromartyr Athanasios who baptized her and her servants Charisimos and Neophytos.

  Name days: Anthousa, Anthusa

• Ariadne the Empress

  Holy Woman, Αριάδνη η Βασίλισσα

  Righteous Ariadne, Empress of Byzantium.

• Irenaeus, Or and Oropsis

  Martyr, Ειρηναίος, Ωρ και Ορόψις

  Holy Martyrs Irenaeus, Or and Oropsis.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.