| Saint Agapitus | |
|---|---|
| Martyr | |
| Born | 3rd century AD Latium |
| Died | c. 267 AD or 274 AD Palestrina, Lazio, Italy |
| Honored in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Major shrine | Cathedral of San Agapito, Palestrina |
| Feast | April 18; August 18 |
| Patronage | Palestrina; invoked against colic[1] |
Saint Agapitus (Italian: Agapito) is venerated as a Martyr saint. Agapitus may have been a member of the noble Anicia family of Palestrina.[2] At the age of fifteen, he was beheaded on orders of the prefect Antiochus and the emperor Aurelian.[2] The date of his death is sometimes given as August 18, 274.[2]
His legend states that he was a young man condemned to death because he was a Christian, and was thrown to the wild animals in the local arena at Palestrina. His legend states that the beasts refused to harm him.
St Agapitus is mentioned in the ancient martyrologies, including the "Martyrologium Hieronymianum" of Saint Jerome, the "Fulda Martyrology," and the "Roman Martyrology."[2] Around the fifth century, a Basilica was built in his honor by Pope Felix III on the supposed place of his martyrdom.[2][3] His relics were conserved there, and a cemetery grew around the sepulcher that held Agapitus’ relics.[2] His relics were translated to the present cathedral of Palestrina at an uncertain date.[2] St Agapitus is remembered as a Commemoration during the Mass said within "the Octave of the Assumption" (see the General Roman Calendar as in 1954) or as a regular Commemoration (see the General Roman Calendar of 1962)[4][5]
Some of his relics were transferred to Besançon.[1]