The Orthodox Christians in Moldova mark Saints Phocas and Mary Magdalene on August 4. Mary Magdalene is honored as one of the first witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus, and received a special commission from him to tell the Apostles of his resurrection. She is often depicted on icons bearing a vessel of ointment, not because of the anointing by the "sinful woman", but because she was among those women who brought ointments to the tomb of Jesus. For this reason, she is called a Myrrhbearer. Saint Phocas, sometimes called Phocas the Gardener or Phocas of Sinope, is venerated as a martyr. Phocas is the Greek word for "seal", which may explain his patronage of sailors and mariners. A sailors' custom was to serve Phocas a portion of every meal; this was called "the portion of St. Phocas." This portion was bought by one of the voyagers and the price was deposited in the hands of the captain. When the ship came into port, the money was distributed among the poor, in thanksgiving to their benefactor for their successful voyage. “The superstitions that no fire should be made on Martyr Phocas Day and swimming is banned are not true. Saint Phocas has no connection with the popular superstitions,” the bishop of the Chisinau-based Saint Dumitru Church Pavel Borshevski stated for Info-Prim Neo. The priest said that though two Christian feasts are marked on August 4, the Orthodox Christians celebrate Saint Phocas more. Many people are afraid to make fire on this day and prepare food beforehand. 'This superstition comes from the pagan tradition. Phocas is a martyr who, by his death, exalted the Savior,” Pavel Borshevski said. According to the priest, the faithful go to work after the morning service and this is not against the religious norms. The feasts are an occasion for meditation, recreation, not for drinking. The persons who bear the names of the two saints celebrate the name day on this day, while other people mark the day of the house.