At Praeneste in Italy (modern Palestrina) a boy of 15 years named Agapetus was taken and brought before Prefect of Rome, Varius Antiochianus, in the reign of Aurelian in 275 AD. He was beaten severely and then thrust into a dark and loathsome dungeon where he was left without food, water and light for four days. He was then drawn forth sick, faint, dazzled by the glare of the sun, before Antiochianus. When asked if he would sacrifice to the gods of Rome, he shook his head. Red hot coals were poured over his head and bare shoulders. He was then suspended by his feet, head downwards, over smoke, and beaten. When nearly unconscious, he was laid on the ground and boiling water poured over his breast and belly, his jaw was broken with a stone, but still he lived. Antiochianus fell off his throne in a fit and died. News was taken to Aurelian, who ordered Agapetus to be thrown to lions in the amphitheatre, but the lions refused to touch him. Instead they crouched at his feet and licked them. He was therefore taken away to where stand two columns outside the gate of Praeneste, and then he was beheaded.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Rome, during the persecution of Diocletian, the blessed John and Crispus, priests, who charitably buried the bodies of many saints, and afterwards becoming partakers of their merits, they deserved the joys of eternal life.
In the same city, the holy martyrs Hernias, Serapion and Polysenus. Being dragged through narrow, stony and craggy places, they yielded up their souls to God.
In Dalmatia, the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus, stonecutters, who, after the martyrdom of Proculus and Maximus, their employers, were subjected to many torments under the governor Licion, and plunged into a deep well.
At Myra in Lycia, the holy martyrs Leo and Juliana.
At Metz in France, St. Firmin, bishop and confessor.
At Rome, on the Via Labicana, St. Helena, mother of the pious emperor Constantine the Great, who was the first to set the example to other princes of protecting and extending the Church.
At Monte-Falo in Umbria, blessed Clare, virgin, nun of the Order of St. Augustine, in whom the mysteries of Our Lord’s Passion were renewed and are venerated with the greatest devotion. Pope Leo XIII solemnly added her to the list of holy virgins.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
At Rome, during the persecution of Diocletian, the blessed John and Crispus, priests, who charitably buried the bodies of many saints, and afterwards becoming partakers of their merits, they deserved the joys of eternal life.
In the same city, the holy martyrs Hernias, Serapion and Polysenus. Being dragged through narrow, stony and craggy places, they yielded up their souls to God.
In Dalmatia, the holy martyrs Florus and Laurus, stonecutters, who, after the martyrdom of Proculus and Maximus, their employers, were subjected to many torments under the governor Licion, and plunged into a deep well.
At Myra in Lycia, the holy martyrs Leo and Juliana.
At Metz in France, St. Firmin, bishop and confessor.
At Rome, on the Via Labicana, St. Helena, mother of the pious emperor Constantine the Great, who was the first to set the example to other princes of protecting and extending the Church.
At Monte-Falo in Umbria, blessed Clare, virgin, nun of the Order of St. Augustine, in whom the mysteries of Our Lord’s Passion were renewed and are venerated with the greatest devotion. Pope Leo XIII solemnly added her to the list of holy virgins.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
