Wednesday Within the Octave of Easter

Agabus was born in Syria, a land that quickly became a cradle of early Christian faith. Remembered by tradition as one of the Seventy disciples sent out by the Lord, he is also said to have been present with the apostles in the upper room at Pentecost. In the Acts of the Apostles he appears as a prophet, traveling from Jerusalem to Antioch and foretelling a great famine that later came to pass during the reign of Claudius—an inspired warning that helped the Church prepare to care for those in need. Years later, Agabus met Saint Paul at Caesarea and, in a striking prophetic sign, bound his own hands and feet with Paul’s belt to reveal the suffering that awaited the Apostle in Jerusalem. Though others pleaded with Paul to turn back, Agabus’ message strengthened the Church to embrace God’s will with courage. Honored as a holy prophet and, by tradition, a martyr, Agabus is venerated as a patron of those who seek true spiritual insight, like an oracle. His feast day is April 8.