Martyr Agathopus of Crete

Martyr Agathopus was a native of the Cretan city of Panormus, one of the Ten Martyrs of Crete (together with Theodulus, Saturninus, Euporus, Gelasius, Eunicianus, Zoticus, Pompeius, Basilides and Evarestus). During the persecution of Emperor Decius (249–251), the governor of Crete, a namesake of the emperor, cruelly persecuted the Cretan Church. Ten Christians from different cities of the island voluntarily presented themselves before him and firmly confessed faith in Christ, denouncing idol worship. For thirty days they were subjected to cruel torture, but with God's help endured everything, glorifying the Lord, and were put to death.