Agathius

This article is about the Roman Catholic Saint. For the 6th century Byzantine historian, see Agathias.

Saint Agathius
The Martyrdom of Saint Agathius. 16th century work by an anonymous artist from Toledo.
Martyr
Born	Cappadocia
Died	~303, Byzantium
Venerated in	Roman Catholicism; Eastern Orthodoxy
Major shrine	Cathedral of Squillace, Italy
Feast	8 May; 16 January (translation of relics)
Attributes	palm of martyrdom; centurion with a bunch of thorns; in armor with standard and shield; depicted with Theodore of Amasea
Patronage	soldiers; Squillace; Guardavalle; invoked against headache

Saint Agathius, also known as Achatius or Acacius of Byzantium was a Cappadocian centurion of the imperial army. He was arrested for his faith on charges by Tribune Firmus in Perinthus, Thrace, tortured, and then brought to Byzantium (Constantinople), where he was scourged and beheaded, being made a martyr because he would not give up his Christian Faith.

The date of martyrdom is traditionally May 8, when his feast is observed.

Veneration

Constantine the Great built a church in his honour. His relics were translated ca. 630 to a spring at Squillace, close by the Vivarium, the monastery founded in the previous century by Cassiodorus in the heel of Italy. He was known in Squillace as San Agario. A relic of his arm was brought to Guardavalle in 1584 by the bishop of Squillace, Marcello Sirleto, hence Agathius' patronage of this city. Relics from Squillace were also brought to Cuenca and Ávila in Spain, where he is known as San Acato.

St. Achatius is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers or Auxiliary Saints.

External links

• Catholic Forum profile on Saint Acacius

References

ko:아카치우스 pt:Santo Acácio ru:Акакий Каппадокиянин sr:Акакије