Caprasius of Agen
Encyclopedia
Saint Caprasius of Agen is venerated as a Christian
martyr
and saint
of the fourth century. Relics associated with him were discovered at Agen
in the fifth century. 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.
During the 9th century, his cult was fused with that of Saint Faith and Alberta of Agen
, also associated with Agen. His cult was also fused with that of Primus and Felician
, who are called Caprasius' brothers.
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.
Caprasius should not be confused with another French saint of the same name, the hermit Caprasius of Lérins.
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), and two brothers, named Primus and Felician. All four were beheaded
.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
and saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
of the fourth century. Relics associated with him were discovered at Agen
Agen
Agen is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in Aquitaine in south-western France. It lies on the river Garonne southeast of Bordeaux. It is the capital of the department.-Economy:The town has a higher level of unemployment than the national average...
in the fifth century. Local legends dating from the 14th century make him the first bishop of Agen, though, as Alban Butler
Alban Butler
Alban Butler , English Roman Catholic priest and hagiographer, was born at Appletree, Northamptonshire.He was educated at the English College, Douai, where on his ordination to the priesthood in 1735 he held successively the chairs of philosophy and divinity...
writes, the only evidence to support his existence is the dedication of a church to him in the 6th century.
During the 9th century, his cult was fused with that of Saint Faith and Alberta of Agen
Alberta of Agen
Saint Alberta of Agen was a Roman venerated as a martyr and saint. Supposed to have been one of the first victims of Diocletian's persecutions, she was tortured with Saint Faith and Saint Caprasius in Agen, France. According to tradition, some spectators objected to this, and were subsequently...
, also associated with Agen. His cult was also fused with that of Primus and Felician
Primus and Felician
Saints Primus and Felician were brothers who suffered martyrdom about the year 297 during the Diocletian persecution. The "Martyrologium Hieronymianum" Saints Primus and Felician (Felicianus) were brothers who suffered martyrdom about the year 297 during the Diocletian persecution. The...
, who are called Caprasius' brothers.
In the year 866, Faith's remains had been transferred to Conques
Conques
Conques is a commune in the Aveyron department in southern France.-Geography:The village is located at the confluence of the Dourdou and Ouche rivers. It is built on a hillside and has classic narrow Medieval streets. As a result, large vehicles cannot enter the historic town centre but must...
, which was along the pilgrimage route to Compostela
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the autonomous community of Galicia, Spain.The city's Cathedral is the destination today, as it has been throughout history, of the important 9th century medieval pilgrimage route, the Way of St. James...
. Her cult, centered at the Abbatiale Sainte-Foy de Conques, spread along the pilgrim routes on the Way of St. James
Way of St. James
The Way of St. James or St. James' Way is the pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried....
. The Church of San Caprasio, built in the beginning of the 11th century, is a First Romanesque
First Romanesque
First Romanesque is the name due to Josep Puig i Cadafalch to refer to the Romanesque art developed in Catalonia since the late 10th century....
church located at Santa Cruz de la Serós
Santa Cruz de la Serós
Santa Cruz de la Serós is a village in the province of Huesca, Aragon, Spain. Located 88 kilometers from the city of Huesca, it is located at a hill side on the way to the Monastery of San Juan de la Peña.-Monuments:...
, which was on the Way of St. James.
Caprasius should not be confused with another French saint of the same name, the hermit Caprasius of Lérins.
Legend
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
.
External links
- St. Caprais page at Christian Iconography