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.