Phocas, John

Phocas, John a noted Eastern monastic, flourished at Crete near the middle of the 12th century. He is especially distinguished by his description of a visit to Palestine, which work is entitled ῎Εχφρασις ἐν συνόψει τῶν τῶν ἀπ᾿ Α᾿ντιοχείας μέχοι ῾Ιεροσ;ύμων κάστρων καὶ χωρῶν Συρίας, Φοινικης καὶ τῶν κατὰ Παλαιστίνην ἁγίων τόπων (ed. Gr. et Lat.

Leo Allatius, Colon. 1653). This is a most important contribution to the department of Biblical geography, and is prized even in our day. See Smith, Dict. of Gr. and Rom. Biog. 2:601.