August 18: Saint Agapitus, Martyr

Witness of Christ unto the ultimate gift of life

Little is known about the young Roman man Agapitus, except that he was martyred in Praeneste (today Palestrina, outside Rome) and that his veneration has been documented since ancient times. He is mentioned in several liturgical books and about two kilometers from Palestrina one can still see the remains of a basilica dedicated to him, along with an inscription bearing his name. During the 9th century, numerous churches were built in his honor. He is recognized as the patron saint of the Diocese of Palestrina.

Born into a prominent family in the second half of the 3rd century AD in Palestrina, he was arrested at around the age of 15 for being a Christian during the persecutions of Emperor Aurelian, carried out by the Roman Prefect Antiochus. He was brought to the temple of the goddess Fortuna in Palestrina to offer sacrifices to the pagan gods but he firmly refused. For this he was condemned to be thrown to wild beasts, which, however, at the carrying out of his sentence, the beasts did not attack him. Thus, on August 18, 274, he was beheaded. His courageous witness, displayed despite his young age, deeply moved the people, many of whom began to venerate him. The Cathedral of Palestrina, which preserves his relics, is dedicated to him.