Agapius of Gaza

Saint Agapius of Gaza suffered in the city of Caesarea in Palestine, in the time of the emperor Diocletian (284 to 305), together with the holy martyrs Publius, Timolaus, Romulus, the two Alexanders and the two Dionysii. They are commemorated on 28 March.

At one of the pagan festivals, Christians who refused to sacrifice to the idols were tortured and put to death in public. At that time the martyr Timothy (commemorated on 19 August) was condemned to be burned, and the martyrs Agapius and Thecla (commemorated on 19 August) were given over to be torn by beasts. Young Christians in the crowd, Publius, Timolaus, Alexander, another Alexander, Dionysius, and Romulus, subdeacon of the church of Diospolis, resolved to confess their faith in public and suffer for Christ. As a sign that they went of their own will, they bound their own hands and appeared before the governor Urbanus. Seeing their youth, the governor tried to persuade them to give up their purpose, but in vain. Then he threw them into prison, where there were already two Christians: Agapius, who had suffered torments for faith in Christ, and his servant Dionysius. All these saints were subjected to terrible tortures and were beheaded.