Agapius

Agapius was born in the early fourth century, though the place of his birth is not known. He became a shepherd of souls in a time of fierce persecution, succeeding Theotecnus as bishop of Caesarea Maritima on the coast of Palestine. Around AD 304 he was arrested for his Christian faith and spent two long years in prison, enduring repeated tortures and being brought again and again into the public arena to face judges who hoped he might save himself by denying Christ. At last Agapius was presented before the emperor Maximinus and offered a pardon if he would renounce the Gospel. He refused, choosing fidelity over safety. Tradition recounts that he even ran forward to meet a bear set upon him; though badly mauled, he survived. The next day, with stones tied to his feet, he was drowned in the Mediterranean, completing his witness in AD 306. Venerated as a martyr, he is honored as a patron of Cesiomaggiore. His feast day is celebrated on November 21.