Caprasius of Agen

For the French hermit and saint who died 430 AD, see Caprasius of Lérins.
Saint Caprasius of Agen

Stained glass depicting the martyrdom of Saint Caprasius in the Église Saint-Caprais, Craponne-sur-Arzon, France
Died 303 AD
Agen
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Feast October 20

Saint Caprasius of Agen (French: Saint Caprais) is venerated as a Christian martyr and saint of the fourth century. Relics associated with him were discovered at Agen in the fifth century.[1] Local legends dating from the 14th century make him the first bishop of Agen, though, as Alban Butler writes, the only evidence to support his existence is the dedication of a church to him in the 6th century.[1]

During the 9th century, his cult was fused with that of Saint Faith and Alberta of Agen, also associated with Agen.[1][2][3] His cult was also fused with that of Primus and Felician, who are called Caprasius' brothers.[4]

Cathédrale Saint-Caprais d'Agen

In the year 866, Faith's remains had been transferred to Conques, which was along the pilgrimage route to Compostela. Her cult, centered at the Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques, spread along the pilgrim routes on the Way of St. James. The Church of San Caprasio, built in the beginning of the 11th century, is a First Romanesque church located at Santa Cruz de la Serós, which was on the Way of St. James.

Legend

During the persecutions of Christians by the prefect Dacian, Caprasius fled to Mont-Saint-Vincent, near Agen. He witnessed the execution of Faith from atop the hill. Caprasius was condemned to death, and was joined on his way to execution by Alberta, Faith’s sister (also identified as Caprasius' mother[4]), and two brothers, named Primus and Felician. All four were beheaded.

Dedications

References

  1. 1 2 3 Alban Butler, David Hugh Farmer, Paul Burns, Butler's Lives of the Saints (Liturgical Press, 2000), 139.
  2. ↑ Saint Faith of Aquitaine Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ St Faith Archived June 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  4. 1 2 St. Caprasius - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online
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