Saint
Phocas the Gardener
New Calendar September 22 Old Calendar October 5
Why they are a saint
Phocas, sometimes called Phocas the Gardener, is venerated as a martyr and saint by the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. His life and legend may have been a fusion of three men with the same name: a Phocas of Antioch, a Phocas the Gardener and Phocas, Bishop of Sinope.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Phocas the Gardener as a patron when they bear the name Phocas at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on September 22.
Prayer
O holy Phocas the Gardener, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.