Saint Agapitus The Martyr

Biography

Saint Agapitus The Martyr, also known as Agapitus of Palestrina or Agapitus of Praeneste, was born in 259 in Palestrina, Italy. He was born into an imperial patrician family, which suggests that he came from a privileged background. At the age of fifteen, during the persecution of Aurelian, Saint Agapitus fearlessly and proudly proclaimed his Christian faith. His bold declaration of being a Christian during a time of intense persecution made him a target for those who sought to eradicate the Christian faith. As a result, he was quickly captured and brought before the authorities for interrogation. Despite the threats and pressures that he faced, Saint Agapitus remained steadfast in his faith, refusing to renounce his beliefs. Because of his young age and the heroic manner in which he faced martyrdom, his story soon became popular and well-known. Over time, the details of his life and martyrdom grew in the telling, but unfortunately, few accurate historical records have survived to provide an entirely comprehensive biography of his life. Some representations of Saint Agapitus depict him as a young man chained in a dungeon or hanging upside down over a fire. Other depictions show him holding a palm branch, wearing a crown, or with symbols such as a burning coal, lions, or dragons. The exact circumstances of Saint Agapitus' martyrdom are also somewhat uncertain. It is believed that he was thrown to wild animals in the arena, hoping that they would devour him. However, to the astonishment of the onlookers, the wild animals refused to touch Saint Agapitus. Undeterred, his captors resorted to beheading him, which occurred approximately in the year 274 at Palestrina, Italy. After his martyrdom, Saint Agapitus' relics were venerated in both Palestrina, Italy, and Besancon, France. He was canonized as a saint in the Pre-Congregation era, before the formal canonization process was established. Saint Agapitus The Martyr is known as the patron saint against colic. His feast days are celebrated on the 18th of August and, on some calendars, also on the 18th of April. His courageous witness to the Christian faith and the numerous conversions that his story inspired have made him an inspiration for believers throughout the centuries. Although much of his life remains shrouded in mystery, Saint Agapitus continues to be venerated as a role model of faith and bravery.