Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome
MARTYR AT PALESTRINA, IN THE PAPAL STATES.
A young martyr of Praeneste, Agapitus miraculously survived the lions of the amphitheater, which lay down at his feet. He was eventually beheaded by order of Antiochus. His courage converted the soldier Anastasius, and his relics are honored today in Palestrina and Besançon.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
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SAINT AGAPETUS OR AGAPITUS OF ROME,
MARTYR AT PALESTRINA, IN THE PAPAL STATES.
The martyrdom at Praeneste
Agapitus miraculously survives the lions in the amphitheater before being beheaded outside the city of Praeneste by order of Antiochus.
to the wild beasts in the amphitheater: two lions were unleashed upon him, their eyes flashing with fury; but at the sight o f Agap itus they calmed down, lay at his feet, licked him gently, and showered him with a thousand caresses, until the holy child ordered them to return to their dens. At the sight of this prodigy, the people cried out that the true God was the God of Agapitus. Finally, by the orde r of Anti ochus, two executioners led him outside the city of P raeneste , and having placed him between two columns, they severed his head with the sword. The Christians took his body and buried it at night, one kilometer from the same city, in a field where they found a brand-new tomb, which seemed to have been prepared by miracle to render the burial of this child martyr more glorious.
Conversion of the soldier Anastasius
Impressed by the constancy of Agapitus, the lieutenant Anastasius converted to Christianity and in turn suffered martyrdom.
His constancy, in the midst of so many torments, touched a soldier who was leading him; his name was Anas tasius. The Roman Martyrology gives him the honorable title of cornicularius, that is to say, lieutenant to the military tribune. He abandoned paganism and embraced the Christian religion. Seized shortly thereafter, he was put to death on the following August 20.
Translation of relics
The saint's remains are preserved in Palestrina, while fragments were transferred to Liessies and Besançon over the centuries.
The relics of Saint Agapitus have been preserved until the present day in the cit y of Pales trina, which is now episcopal, at the choice of the first cardinals; some bones were transported to the Benedict ine abbey of Liesses or Liess ies, near Avesnes, in the current diocese of Cambrai. Chelid onius, Bis hop of Besan çon, bro ught back from Rome, in 445, the head of this holy Martyr, and deposited it in the church of Saint-Étienne. It is today in that of Saint-Jean, where Hugh I tra nsferred it towards the middle of the 11th century. The Roman Martyrology makes mention of him, as do those of Bede, Usuard, and Ado. Bar onius also speaks of him in his Notes and in his Annals.
Sources and references
The account is based on the work of the Bollandists and mentions the historical martyrologies of Bede, Usuard, and Baronius.
We have almost entirely rewritten the account of this martyrdom, inserted in Father Giry, with the he lp of the Bo llandists.
Iconography
Signs and attributes
Entities
Narrative network
The names, places, and concepts most present in the entry, weighted by centrality in the text.
The supernatural in their life
The miracles of Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome
Frequently asked questions about Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome
Who was Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome?
A young martyr of Praeneste, Agapitus miraculously survived the lions of the amphitheater, which lay down at his feet. He was eventually beheaded by order of Antiochus. His courage converted the soldier Anastasius, and his relics are honored today in Palestrina and Besançon.
What is Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome the patron saint of?
Patronage of Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome: Palestrina.
How is Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome depicted in Christian art?
In iconography, Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome is recognizable by: lions, sword and two columns.
How did Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome die?
Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome suffered martyrdom for the Christian faith (3rd century).
What miracles are attributed to Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome?
2 miracles are attributed to this saint, notably: Protection / deliverance and Sign / wonder.
Which saints were contemporaries of Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome?
Contemporaries include: Saint Irenaeus of Lyon, Saint Ausonius of Angoulême, Saint Firmin of Pamplona and Saint Baudilus.
What are the other names of Saint Agapitus (Agapetus) of Rome?
Other forms of the name: Agapit.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Exposure to wild beasts in the amphitheater
- Miracle of the lions lying at his feet
- Decapitation outside the city of Praeneste
- Miraculous burial in a new tomb