PHOCAS, BISHOP OF PONTUS, PUT TO DEATH IN A LIME-KILN, AND IN BOILING WATER, FOR THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AT SINOPE, ABOUT THE YEAR 118.
PHOCAS PUT TO DEATH IN A LIME-KILN.
Phocas, a son of Pamphilius, the first bishop of the church in Pontus in the city of Sinope, on being brought, in the time of Trajan, before Africanus, the Governor of Pontus, who urged him to sacrifice upon the altar of Neptune, steadfastly refused to do this; on account of which he was sentenced by the Governor to die for the name of Christ; which death he suffered after many pains and torments, and was thus numbered with his slain fellow-brethren. Regarding the death of this man, see A. Mell., 1st book of the Hist, der vervolg. in Mart., fol. 27, col. 1, ex Adone, in Comment. At. 6. Aster. Orat. de Phoca. Also, concerning the time of his death, for the year 118, see Joh. Gysii Hist. Mart., fol. 15, col. 4.
Touching the manner of his death, P. J. Twisck gives the following account: “Phocas, in Pontus, refusing to sacrifice to the gods, was thrust, according to the command of Emperor Trajan, and for the name of Christ, into a lime-kiln full of glowing coals, then cast into boiling water and thus killed. P. J. Twisck, Chron., 2d book, for the year 118, p. 37, col. 2, from Adon. Vinnens., lib. 6, fol. 166, Vinefol. 519.
FAUSTINA AND JACOBITA PUT TO DEATH, FOR THE FAITH, AT BRESCIA; AND ELENTHERUS WITH HIS MOTHER ANTHIA, IN SICILY, A. D. 120.
About this time several persons were put to death for the name of Christ; as Faustina and Jacobita, at Brescia in Italy; Elentherus with his mother Anthia, and others, at Messina in Sicily, etc.; all of whom, contending steadfastly, even unto death, departed with a joyful hope. As regards the persecutions of this time, compare Joh. Gysii Hist. Mart., fol. 115, col. 4, with A. Mellinus, P. J. Twisck, and others.
SEVERE PERSECUTIONS OF THE BELIEVERS ABOUT THE YEAR 130.
About this time, writes P. J. Twisck, the instruments of the devil could not invent punishments severe enough, but what they considered the Christians worthy of. For they were watched in their houses as well as without; men cried out against them in all public places; they were scourged, stoned, and dragged about; their goods were plundered; they were apprehended; red-hot iron plates were applied to their bare bodies; they were placed in a certain instrument made to torture malefactors; they were put into the deepest and darkest places of the prisons, where they were slain, yea, they were afflicted with excruciating torments. P. J. Twisck, Chron., 2d book, for the year 130, page 39, col. 2, and page 40, col. 1, from Jan Crespin in den staet der Kerken.