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Today, 22 September, is the feast of... Phocas the Gardener, martyr (?): Lived near the gate of Sinope, a city of Paphlagonia on the Black Sea. Gave the fruits of his garden to the poor. (In the Roman Martyrology, Phocas, martyr at Antioch on 5 March, and Phocas, Bishop of Sinope and martyr under Trajan on 14 July, are probably both derivatives of Phocas the Gardener.) His relics, or parts of them, were claimed by Antioch, Vienne and several other places. Maurice and companions, martyrs (287?): Augustus Maximian Herculius ordered this legion of six thousand six hundred Christian men to be put to death since they did not join in offering a sacrifice to the gods after a successful expedition. Felix III (IV), pope (530): Felix sent to the second Synod of Orange (529) a number of propositions about grace drawn from the works of Augustine, which led to the condemnation of Semi-Pelagianism by the council. Salaberga, matron (665):Salaberga was cured of blindess as a child by St Eustace of Luxeuil. She and her husband, Blandinus, also a saint, agreed to live holy lives. Blandinus became a hermit, and Salaberga founded a monastery at Laon. Salaberga had a married brother named Bodo; she persuaded him to become a monk. Bodo's wife joined Salaberga's community at Laon. When Salaberga died, she was buried at her monastery in Laon. Her brother was eventually buried next to her. Emmeramus, bishop (seventh century): By his preaching, he converted many to Christianity. ****************** Dr Carolyn Muessig Department of Theology and Religious Studies University of Bristol Bristol BS8 1TB UK phone: +44(0)117-928-8168 fax: +44(0)117-929-7850 e-mail: [log in to unmask] %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%