Saint Agathangelus
Saint Agathangelus (also known as Agathangel; died c. 312 AD) was an early Christian martyr and companion of Saint Clement of Ancyra in Asia Minor. He is venerated together with Saint Clement in the Roman Martyrology and in the Eastern Orthodox Church as one of the martyrs of the Diocletianic persecution. His feast day is January 23.
According to hagiographic tradition, Agathangelus was a Roman convert who became a devoted companion and assistant to Clement, a bishop of Ancyra (present-day Ankara, Turkey) who underwent an extraordinarily prolonged martyrdom during the reigns of Diocletian, Maximian, and Maximinus Daia. The Passio Sanctorum Clementis et Agathangeli describes a series of tortures over many years before both saints were finally beheaded at Ancyra around 312 AD. The historicity of the details of the passio is debated by scholars, but the veneration of Clement and Agathangelus at Ancyra is ancient and documented from the fourth century.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Agathangelus
| Saint Agathangelus | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | January 23 |
| Profession | Layman (Roman convert); companion martyr |
| Rel. Affiliation | Early Christianity; Catholic Church; Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Attributes | Palm branch of martyrdom; sword |
| Birthplace | Unknown (probably Rome or Asia Minor) |
| Death Place | Ancyra (Ankara), Galatia, Roman Empire (present-day Turkey) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom — beheaded at Ancyra during the Diocletianic persecutions |
| Primary Shrine | Ancyra (Ankara), Turkey |
| Liturgical Class | Not included in the General Roman Calendar |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Birth
No birth date or birthplace for Saint Agathangelus is recorded in historical sources. He was probably of Roman or Greek origin.
Early Life
Agathangelus is described in hagiographic tradition as a companion and assistant of Saint Clement of Ancyra who converted to Christianity through contact with Clement's witness and became his devoted follower in martyrdom.
Occupation
Agathangelus accompanied Saint Clement during his prolonged ordeal of persecution across multiple imperial reigns. The passio describes both men being brought before successive emperors and governors and subjected to repeated tortures before their final execution.
Vocation
Saint Agathangelus's vocation was that of a faithful companion to a bishop-martyr, sharing in Clement's suffering over many years before sharing in his final martyrdom.
Death
Saint Agathangelus was beheaded at Ancyra around 312 AD, together with Saint Clement of Ancyra. Their feast day is January 23.
Significant events
- Companion of Saint Clement of Ancyra in his prolonged martyrdom.
- Converted to Christianity through Clement's witness, according to tradition.
- Beheaded at Ancyra c. 312 AD.
- Feast day: January 23.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: Ancyra (Ankara), Galatia, Roman Empire (present-day Turkey)
Notable location: Site of his martyrdom with Saint Clement of Ancyra (Ankara (ancient Ancyra), Turkey)
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Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Agathangelus have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
Dynamic shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
No shrines formally dedicated to Saint Agathangelus have been identified in available sources.
Canonization
Servant of God
Recognized by ancient tradition.
Venerable
Not applicable.
Beatification
Not applicable.
Canonization
Recognized through ancient tradition; included in the Roman Martyrology for January 23.
Miracles
No specific miracles attributed to Saint Agathangelus have been formally documented.
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Patronage
No specific patronage is assigned to Saint Agathangelus.
Feast day
January 23
Veneration
Saint Agathangelus is venerated in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions as a martyr of Ancyra who suffered and died alongside Saint Clement.
Prayers
Authored
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
External links
References
- Acta Sanctorum, January vol. II. Antwerp, 1643–1940.
- Roman Martyrology (Martyrologium Romanum). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2004.