February 13: Saint Agabus

Today, February 13, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Agabus (also known as Saint Agabo, died 1st Century), one of the seventy disciples of Christ sent out to preach the Gospel, and holy martyr of Antioch. Saint Agabus was graced with the gift of prophecy, and was likely present in the upper room on the day of Pentecost.


Saint Agabus is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles, in which he is recorded as predicting a great famine thorughout the Roman Empire.

27And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.


28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. (Acts 11: 27-28)

Saint Agabus later predicted the imprisonment of Paul, attempting unsuccessfully to convince him to refrain from journeying to Jerusalem:

10And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.


11And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.


12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.


13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.


14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.


15And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. (Acts 21: 10-15)

Saint Agabus traveled, preaching the Gospel with his fellow disciples of Christ. He converted both Jews and Greeks, attracting the attention of the Jews of Jerusalem. He was arrested, tortured, beaten, and dragged by a rope around his neck outside the city. He was stoned to death at Antioch. At the moment of his death, a glowing light from Heaven shone down, causing those in attendance to look upon it in amazement. A Jewish woman proclaimed, "Truly this man was righteous,” and converted to Christianity on the spot. The crowds promptly stoned her and she was buried with the holy saint in his tomb.

Today we pray that Saint Agabus, and all the holy martyrs of the faith, inspire us to live our lives with the conviction and certainty of Christ—that we may proclaim the Gospel through our thoughts, words, and actions each day!

Requested Intentions: For peace and security for a couple (D); For strengthening of families throughout the world (C); Healing for a sick child (H); Healing for a mother, safety and security for a family (M); Peace and conversion of afflicted peoples (P); Healing upon a family (E); Blessings upon a couple; specific intentions (A); For financial security, for vocational discernment, for a friend fighting addiction, for a family in need of conversion (M); For those courageously fighting cancer (M); Physical healing and financial security (C); For a family to serve the Lord, for physical healing, financial security (R); For a return to the faith of a family (D); Financial security, health, and peace for a family (N); End to debt, peace and health (E); For a young boy facing medical challenges (M); Permanent employment for a son (R); For inmates facing illness (M); For the renewal of a marriage (A); For the blessing of a union (C); Peaceful resolution to work difficulties, end to health challenges (R); For private intentions (J); For the faith of a prayer group (A); For healing and conversion of the injured (C); Healing of a family following the death of a loved one, resolution of legal matters (J); Employment and security for a mother and children (A); Healing and peace (J); Healing and peace in a family (D); Successful employment (M); Healing of a relationship (B).