Saint Agapitus | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Statue of St Agapitus by Marco Antonio Prestinari (ca. 1605–1607) in Museo del Duomo, Milan | |
| Martyr | |
| Born | 3rd century AD Latium |
| Died | c. 267 AD or 274 AD Palestrina, Lazio, Italy |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Major shrine | Cathedral of San Agapito, Palestrina |
| Feast | April 18; August 18 |
| Patronage | Palestrina; invoked against colic[1] |
Agapitus (Italian: Agapito) is venerated as a martyr saint, who died on August 18, perhaps in 274,[2] a date that the latest editions of the Roman Martyrology say is uncertain.[3]
According to his legend, 16-year-old Agapitus, who may have been a member of the noble Anicia family of Palestrina,[2] was condemned to death, under the prefect Antiochus and the Emperor Aurelian, for being a Christian.[2] After being captured and tortured during the persecution of Aurelian, he was taken to the local arena in Palestrina and thrown to the wild beasts. However, the animals refused to touch him and he was thus beheaded.
- ^ "Saint Agapitus". Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
- ^ a b c Sant' Agapito Martire
- ^ Martyrologium Romanum (Libreria Editrice Vaticana 2001 ISBN 978-88-209-7210-3), p. 660