Agapius (died 306)
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| name = Agapius
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| image = Agapije1.jpg
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| alt = Ἀγάπιος
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| death_date = 306 AD[http://www.jstor.org/stable/23036777 Lawlor, H. J. "The Chronology of Eusebius’ 'Martyrs of Palestine'", Hermathena, vol. 15, no. 34, 1908, pp. 177–201. JSTOR]
| death_place = Caesarea
| death_cause = Murdered
| venerated_in = Catholic Church, Serbian Orthodox Church
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| feast_day = 20 November, 19 August
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Agapius ({{langx|grc|Ἀγάπιος}}) was a Christian martyr killed at Caesarea in AD 306.[https://books.google.com/books?id=8mUJ58SMMhEC&dq=Agapius+%28died+306%29&pg=PA14 Walsh, Michael. "Agapius", A New Dictionary of Saints, Liturgical Press, 2007, p. 14]{{ISBN|9780814631867}} He is recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church. His martyrdom is recorded by Eusebius of Caesarea in his work The Martyrs of Palestine.
History
Agapius succeeded Theotecnus as bishop of Caesarea Maritima.[https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.xii.xxxiii.html "The Church History of Eusebius", NPNF2, (Schaff and Wace, eds.) Chapter XXXII, No. 24] He was arrested in AD 304. He remained in prison for two years and was tortured on multiple occasions. He was brought out to the arena many times and presented to the judges. There he was threatened and reserved for later matches. The judges, Eusebius notes, must have been motivated either out of compassion or the hope that he might change his mind and renounce Christianity.[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.xiv.vii.html Eusebius, Martyrs of Palestine Chapter 6]
Finally he was brought to the arena and presented to the emperor Maximinus. He was offered a pardon on the condition that he disavow his faith. According to Eusebius, he not only refused the offer, but he is said to have cheerfully rushed headlong into the bear. The animal inflicted severe injuries, but Agapius survived.[https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienA/Agapius_von_Caesarea.html Schäfer, Joachim. "Agapius von Cäsarea", Ökumenischen Heiligenlexikon] Stones were affixed to his feet and he was drowned in the Mediterranean on the following day.[https://books.google.com/books?id=LP4UAAAAQAAJ&q=Agapius&pg=PA78 Holweck, F. G., A Biographical Dictionary of the Saints. St. Louis, MO: B. Herder Book Co. 1924. p. 29]
His feast days are observed on November 20 and August 19.
References
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Sources
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080718213250/http://saints.sqpn.com/sainta2u.htm Agapius: Patron Saints Index]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20180505070056/http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/1120.shtml November 20: St. Patrick Catholic Church, Saint of the Day]
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Category:Saints from the Holy Land