E02495: The Martyrdom of *Felix II (bishop and martyr of Rome, ob. 365, S00493) is written in Latin, presumably in Rome, perhaps during the Laurentian schism (498-506). It narrates Felix's election to the bishopric of Rome after the exile of pope Liberius (352-366); Felix's condemnation of Arians in a council; his building of a basilica on the via Portuensis; his loss of the episcopate and Liberius' return; the persecutions that follow, and Felix's martyrdom and burial at the second milestone on the via Aurelia.

Martyrdom of Felix II (BHL 2857)

Summary:

Liberius is pope at the time of Constantius, but is sent into exile by Constantius for three years because he refuses to adhere to the Arian heresy. In his place the bishops and all the Roman clergy elect the priest Felix as bishop. Felix then convenes a council which condemns two Roman priests, Ursacius and Valens, who adhered to the Arian emperor Constantius, in front of 48 bishops. Constantius is also declared to be a heretic and to have been rebaptised by Eusebius of Nicomedia near Nicomedia in aquilone villa.

As a result, Felix is ejected from the episcopate by the emperor Constantius. Felix had built a basilica on the via Aurelia as a priest, on land that he had bought. After a few days Ursacius and Valens ask Constantius to recall Pope Liberius from exile and the agens in rebus, Catulinus, together with Ursacius and Valens, come to Liberius. Liberius agrees to the emperor’s order that all should participate in one communion without rebaptism. Liberius returns and dwells in the cemetery of the holy martyr Agnes at the house of Constantia, sister of Constantius, to obtain her help in regaining the city of Rome. Constantia is a faithful Christian and does not want to ask her brother Constantius to grant this. However Constantius, Ursacius and Valens summon other Arians, call back Liberius from the cemetery of Agnes, and he enters the city of Rome. In the same hour, Constantius convenes a council of the heretics, together with Ursacius and Valens, and ejects bishop Felix from his episcopate, a just and god-fearing man, recalling Liberius to take his place.

From that day there is a great persecution of the clergy: priests and clerics are killed within churches and crowned with martyrdom. Felix lives on his small estate (praediolum) on the via Portuensis. He is then taken and led to the city of Corona [civitate Corona, variants have civitate Roma] and beheaded on the 4th day of the Ides of November [= 10 November]. His body is stolen by priests and clerics and buried in the basilica which he had constructed on the via Aurelia on the 15th day of the Calends of December [= 17 November] at the second milestone. His feast is celebrated on the 4th day of the Calends of August [= 29 July] up to the present day.

Text: Verrando 1981, 122-123. Summary: C. Pilsworth, The Roman Martyrs Project, Manchester University; adapted and expanded by M. Pignot.