Agapitus of Synnada

Agapitus of Synnada was born into a Christian family in Cappadocia, in the time of Diocletian and Maximian. From his youth he desired the monastic life and entered a monastery. God gave him great bodily strength, and when the emperor Licinius learned of it, he sent him into the army; in the persecution of Licinius he was wounded by a spear but survived. Hearing that he healed through prayer, Constantine the Great sent him a sick servant, whom Agapitus cured; as a reward he asked to leave the army and return to his monastery. The bishop of Synnada ordained him a priest, and when the bishop died Agapitus was chosen to succeed him. He shepherded his flock wisely until his death. He is remembered on 24 March.