Sainted Agapitos the Confessor, Bishop of Synada

Commemorated on February 18

      Sainted Agapitos the Confessor, Bishop of Synada, was born in Cappadocia during the reign of the emperors Diocletian (284-305) and Maximian (284-305). His parents were Christians. From his youthful years he yearned for the monastic life and so he entered a monastery, where he asceticised in fasting, prayers and service to all the brethren of the monastery.
      The Lord granted Saint Agapitos the gift of wonderworking. The then current emperor, Licinius (307-324), learned that the Monk Agapitos was endowed with great physical strength, and he commanded the saint against his wishes to be conscripted into military service.
      During the time of persecution against the Christians, initiated by Licinius, Saint Agapitos was put together with the holy Martyrs Victor, Dorotheos, Theodoulos and Agrippa; he was wounded by a spear, but remained alive. After the death of the emperor Licinius, he obtained his freedom from military service in the following manner. It became known to the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337), that through prayer Saint Agapitos had worked healings. The emperor sent him a sick servant, who likewise received healing. The emperor wanted to generously reward Saint Agapitos, who instead asked only that he be able to resign military service and return to his monastery. The permission was granted, and he joyfully returned to the monastery.
      Soon after this, the Synada bishop summoned Saint Agapitos and ordained him to the dignity of presbyter. And after the death of the bishop, Saint Agapitos was unanimously chosen by the clergy and all the people to the cathedra-seat of bishop of Synada. The new hierarch wisely governed his flock, guiding it in the Orthodox faith and virtuous life. Through his prayers numerous miracles occurred. The saint died peacefully.