Saint Agapius, the martyr, and his seven companions, the martyrs

ورد خبر هؤلاء القديسين الشهداء في مؤلَّف “شهداء فلسطين” لأفسافيوس القيصري (الفصل الثالث). أمبراطور رومية يومذاك كان ذيوكليسيانوس وحاكم فلسطين Urbanus and the occasion of the great persecution of Christians around the year 305 AD. The governor, in implementation of Caesar’s directives, wanted to hold, in Caesarea, a great feast during which stubborn Christians would offer food to the beasts. When the news spread about this matter, six young men came forward: Themolaus, from the people of Pontus, Dionysius from the Phoenician Tripoli, Romulus, an assistant deacon in the Church of Lydda, Paisius and Alexander, who were Egyptians, and another young man from Gaza, also named Alexander.

They tied each other's hands and hurried to Urbanus, who was about to open the show in the amphitheater. They showed enthusiasm and desire for martyrdom. They also admitted that they were Christians and welcomed all the horrors that could befall them as a result, showing that those who maintain their faithfulness to the God of the universe do not faint in the face of monster attacks!

Immediately, as reported by Ephesus, the six were thrown into prison after they raised the astonishment of the governor and those with him.

Only a few days passed until two more were added to the detainees: Agapius, who had endured horrific horrors in previous confessions, and Dionysius, who had provided them with the necessities of living.

When the eight remained steadfast in their confession and none of them gave up, their heads were cut off in one day in Caesarea.

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