Holy Martyr Agapius and Seven with Him: Publius, Timolaüs, Romulus, Two Alexanders, and Two Dionysii

Life

All suffered in Caesarea of Palestine under the prince Urban, in the time of Emperor Diocletian. All seven, except for Agapius, were quite young men and were not yet Christians. Nor had they ever been baptized with water. But their baptism was by blood. One day these seven young men were watching the Christians being tortured — some in fire, others on gibbets, others before wild beasts — and seeing with what endurance the Christians bore all their torments, they were inflamed with zeal for Christ. They bound their own hands behind their backs and thus bound came before Urban, saying: we too are Christians! Urban's flattery and threats proved unavailing. The young men were then joined by a distinguished citizen of that city, Agapius, who had already suffered considerably for Christ, and he began to kindle their faith and love for the Lord yet more ardently. All were beheaded with the sword in the year 303 and departed to the courts of the Heavenly King.

From the Hymn of Praise

### HOLY MARTYRS AGAPIUS, ALEXANDER, AND NICANDER