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Martyr Phokas the Gardener of Sinope · Saints and Scripture

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
• 0:02
  SPEAKER_00: Today is Tuesday, september twenty two, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember Martyr Focus the Gardener of Sinope.
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  SPEAKER_00: Focus was a simple man who owned only a garden, which he cared for with great diligence.
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  SPEAKER_00: Though his income from the garden was small, he was careful with what he had and always made sure to help the poor.
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  SPEAKER_00: Focus loved to study the holy scriptures.
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  SPEAKER_00: He often told those who saw him reading that our soul is like a garden.
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  SPEAKER_00: It needs care so it does not grow thorns and thistles.
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  SPEAKER_00: He wanted everyone's soul to become a spiritual garden, and he helped others to purify and cultivate their souls.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: While selling fruits and vegetables, Phocus shared words that brought spiritual benefit.
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  SPEAKER_00: His kindness and faith helped many Christians, and he even converted some pagans.
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  SPEAKER_00: At that time Christians were being persecuted by idolaters.
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  SPEAKER_00: When the rulers learned that Phocus was a Christian, they sent soldiers to arrest him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Phocus lived near the castle gate by the port, so he often had visitors, including travelers and the poor.
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  SPEAKER_00: When the soldiers came, he welcomed them as guests.
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  SPEAKER_00: After some time he asked why they had come.
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  SPEAKER_00: Because of his hospitality, they told him they were there to behead him.
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  SPEAKER_00: They even said he would be doing them a favor by helping.
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  SPEAKER_00: Without fear, Focus went outside to dig his own grave.
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  SPEAKER_00: The next day he told the soldiers who he was, they were surprised and ashamed because he had treated them with such love that they did not want to kill him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Phocus understood their feelings and told them not to hesitate to follow their orders.
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  SPEAKER_00: He said that those who sent them would be responsible for his death, not the soldiers.
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  SPEAKER_00: His words convinced them to behead him.
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  SPEAKER_00: A detailed account of his death was written by Asterios of Amasa.
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  SPEAKER_00: After his martyrdom, Christians built a magnificent church where he was beheaded and placed his relics there.
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  SPEAKER_00: This church became a place of comfort for the suffering and healing for the sick.
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  SPEAKER_00: A part of his relics is kept at the monastery of Prusos in Everytania.
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  SPEAKER_00: Phocus is remembered for many miracles.
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  SPEAKER_00: When Sinope faced famine, wheat was found through his protection.
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  SPEAKER_00: He appeared to sailors in danger at sea, saving them from drowning and warning them of storms.
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  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes he helped with the ropes and sails, or protected ships from wrecks.
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  SPEAKER_00: Sailors honor Saint Focus by buying his share at their table during meals and then giving the collected money to the poor when they reach their destination.
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  SPEAKER_00: Though he was a humble gardener, Saint Focus is honored for his miracles and is especially venerated by sailors and travelers by sea.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, help us to care for our souls as Saint Focus cared for his garden.
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  SPEAKER_00: Give us kindness and courage to face challenges with faith.
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  SPEAKER_00: Protect all who travel by sea and keep them safe.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord help us to care for our souls as Saint Focus cared for his garden.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: Give us kindness and courage to face challenges with faith.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: Protect all who travel by sea and keep them safe.
• 3:25
  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one God.
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_00: Amen.