St. Agapitus of Palestrina

St. Agapitus of Palestrina was a young Christian martyr who courageously gave his life for the faith during Roman persecutions at the age of fifteen.

St. Agapitus of Palestrina was born around 259 AD into a noble Roman family and raised in the Christian faith at a time when Christianity was still illegal in the Roman Empire. From a young age, Agapitus showed strong devotion to Christ and great spiritual maturity.

During the reign of Emperor Aurelian, Christian persecution intensified, and Agapitus was among those arrested for professing his faith. Despite his youth — he was only fifteen years old — he was brought before the Roman authorities and ordered to renounce his belief in Jesus Christ. When he refused, Agapitus was subjected to brutal tortures intended to break his spirit. According to tradition, he was scourged, imprisoned, and even thrown to wild beasts in the arena.

Miraculously, the beasts did not harm him, and many spectators began to convert to Christianity upon witnessing his unshakable courage. Enraged by his resilience and the growing influence of his witness, the authorities eventually ordered his beheading around the year 275 AD.

His martyrdom took place in Palestrina, near Rome, where his relics became venerated soon after his death. A basilica was later erected over his tomb, becoming a site of pilgrimage. St. Agapitus stands as a powerful example of youthful faith and martyrdom in the early Church.

Feast Day

18-8-

Birth Date

--259

Died Date

--275

Canonised Date

--N/A

Cathedral of Palestrina, Italy

St. Agapitus, young and fearless martyr of Christ, pray for us that we may be strong in faith and unwavering in our witness, even in the face of suffering. Amen.
ST. AGAPITUS OF PALESTRINA

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ST. AGAPITUS OF PALESTRINA

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Anudina Visudhar (Malayalam) – Life of Saints for Everyday
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Saint Companions for Each Day
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