The Church honors the memory of Martyrs Isaac and Martin, along with Bishop of Sinope, Hieromartyr Phokas.
Saint Phokas was born in Sinope, a city on the Black Sea coast, to parents Pamphilus and Maria who instilled in him a strong faith in God. He devoted himself to studying religious texts from a young age and was known for his love for God and humanity.
Guided by the teachings of the Bible, Saint Phokas embodied the words: “Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives […] But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness” (1 John 2: 10-11).
As Bishop of Sinope, Saint Phokas performed miracles in the name of the Holy Trinity and was dedicated to spreading the faith. During the reign of Emperor Trajan (AD 98-117), he was captured by idolaters and martyred by being thrown into a scalding bath.
Source: Church of Cyprus