Baring-Gould’s sources: Roman Martyrology; also March 24 and Aug. 19. By the Greeks, with S. Timothy, B. of Gaza, on May 21; but also Greek Mensea on Nov. 19. Also, along with two Dionysii, two Alexanders, Timolaus, Romulus, and Paisius or Publius, on March 15 and 19 and May 17. Alone on July 22, in the Neapolitan Kalendar. Authority: — Eusebius, in his account of the Martyrs of Palestine, cc. 3, 6.] N the second year of the persecution of Maximian, Urbanus, governor of Palestine, acting under express orders from the emperor, proceeded with great severity against the Christians.

Timothy, bishop of Gaza, was tortured and then burned to death over a slow fire. With him were arrested Agapius ' Mentioned in a sermon attributed to S. Ambrose [bishop of Milan (d. 397)], but really, in all probability, by S. Maximus, bishop of Turin. 2 Or a.d. 477. and Thecla, who were condemned to be thrown to the beasts, but were not at once given over to be devoured. They were detained till the arrival of the emperor, when the people were to be gratified with sport in the amphitheatre. Then six young men, named Timolaus, a native of Pontus [a region on the Black Sea coast of Turkey], Dionysius of Tripoli, Romulus, subdeacon of Diospolis, Paesis and Alexander, two Egyptians, and another Alexander from Gaza, bound their hands together, and presented themselves before Urbanus, confessing themselves to be Christians. They were at once cast into prison. A few days later a second Agapius was arrested, and also another Dionysius, who endeavoured to convey food to the martyrs in prison. These eight were beheaded on one day at Caesarea, and are commemorated on that day, March 24, in the Roman Martyrology, and in the Greek Menaea, on March 15, But the first Agapius, who was taken with Thecla, was reserved for the birthday of the emperor in the fourth year of the persecution. Maxentius [rival emperor at Rome 306–312, defeated by Constantine] was present in Caesarea. The two martyrs had been paraded with malefactors several times, and brought to the arena, but the magistrates had refrained from exposing them to the beasts, either from compassion or from hopes of breaking their constancy.

Now, however, Agapius was brought into the amphitheatre and placed in the arena together with a slave, accused of having murdered his master. The slave showed so much courage in fighting the wild beasts, that the whole theatre roared its applause, and the emperor pardoned and released him. Agapius was then brought forward, and was offered his liberty if he would renounce Christ. With a loud voice he cried that he would rather die; and a bear being let loose, he rushed towards him, and was hugged and mangled. He was carried, still breathing, to prison. Next day stones were attached to his feet and he was cast into the sea.