Baring-Gould’s sources: Greek Menssa and Menology, Russian Menology, Roman Martyralogy. Authority: — The contemporary account of Eusebius, in his Martyrs of Palestine, c. 3 and 6.] Eusebius says, “When Urbanus was Governor of the Province (of Palestine), in the second year, imperial edicts were first issued to him, in which it was ordered that all persons in every city should sacrifice and make libations to the idols. Timothy at Gaza endured a multitude of tortures, and after having borne them all, was condemned to be consumed by a slow and gentle fire. He exhibited in all his sufferings the most indubitable proof of his sincere devotion to God, and thus bore away the crown of those holy wrestlers who triumph in the cause of religion. “ At the same time with him Agapius, who displayed the noblest firmness in his confession, and Thecla, our contemporary, were condemned to be cast to wild beasts.” Agapius, however, did not die then; being spared by the beasts, he was taken back to prison, where he lingered for two more years till the Emperor Maximian came to Caesarea, when he was brought forth for martyrdom in the arena. “After having been paraded with malefactors, from the prison to the stadium, already a third time, and after various threats from the judges, whether through compassion, or out of hope of changing his purpose, he had been deferred from time to time for other contests; at length, when the Emperor was present, he was led forth. As if he had been designedly reserved for this time, and that, also, the declaration of our Saviour might be fulfilled, when He said that His disciples should be led before kings, to confess Him, he was brought into the stadium, before the Emperor, along with a criminal charged with having murdered his master. The murderer, when cast to the beasts, was treated with clemency — as Barabbas was treated in the Saviour’s time; — the theatre resounded with applause, and the bloodstained homicide was pardoned by the Emperor and honoured with liberty and promotion. But Agapius, the wrestler for the Faith, was first summoned before the tyrant, and required to renounce his purpose, liberty being offered him if he would do so. But he declared with a loud voice his glad readiness to suffer whatever might be inflicted on him, and rushing towards a bear that had been let loose on him, readily offered himself to be devoured. Still breathing he was taken up, and carried to prison. As he was alive next day, stones were attached to his feet, and he was plunged in the sea.”