Phocas
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [1]
a Christian martyr of the early Church, flourished as bishop of Pontus in the 3d century. He was condemned to death for his refusal to sacrifice to Neptune, and was put to death by being first cast into a hot limekiln, and afterwards thrown into a scalding bath (Fox, page 16).
Another martyr of the same name flourished near the opening of the 4th century. He was put to death in A.D. 303. He was inserted in the list of martyrs in the days of the emperor Constantine. This Phocas is to the Greek Christians the Castor and Pollux of ancient Greece, and mariners revere his memory and pray for his intercession. He is commemorated by the Romanists July 14.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [2]
A common soldier who raised himself by the aid of a faction to the throne of the East, and for twenty years defied attempts to dethrone him, but, being deserted by his party, was taken, subjected to torture, and beheaded in 610. "His reign," says Gibbon, "afflicted Europe with ignominious peace, and Asia with desolating war."
