Agapius (Ancient Greek:Ἀγάπιος) was aChristianmartyr killed atCaesarea in AD 306.^[2] He is recognized as a saint by theCatholic Church. Hismartyrdom is recorded byEusebius of Caesarea in his workThe Martyrs of Palestine.

Agapius succeededTheotecnus as bishop ofCaesarea Maritima.^[3] He was arrested in AD 304. He remained in prison for two years and was tortured on multiple occasions. He was brought out to the arena many times and presented to the judges. There he was threatened and reserved for later matches. The judges,Eusebius notes, must have been motivated either out of compassion or the hope that he might change his mind and renounceChristianity.^[4]

Finally he was brought to the arena and presented to the emperorMaximinus. He was offered a pardon on the condition that he disavow his faith. According toEusebius, he not only refused the offer, but he is said to have cheerfully rushed headlong into the bear. The animal inflicted severe injuries, but Agapius survived.^[5] Stones were affixed to his feet and he was drowned in theMediterranean on the following day.^[6]

His feast days are observed on November 20 and August 19.

• Agapius: Patron Saints Index
• November 20: St. Patrick Catholic Church, Saint of the Day

• 306 deaths
• Saints from the Holy Land
• 4th-century Christian martyrs
• 4th-century Romans

• Articles containing Ancient Greek (to 1453)-language text
• Year of birth unknown