ST FELIX I., POPE AND MARTYR - 30 DECEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 30th of December

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SAINT FELIX I., POPE AND MARTYR

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[December 30 or May 30.] St Felix was a Roman by birth, and succeeded St Dionysius in the government of the church in 269. 

Paul of Samosata, the proud bishop of Antioch, to the guilt of many enormous crimes, added that of heresy, teaching that Christ was no more than a mere man, in whom the Divine Word dwelt by its operation, and as in its temple, with many other gross errors concerning the capital mysteries of the Trinity and Incarnation. 

THE TWO COUNCILS AT ANTIOCH

Two councils were held at Antioch to examine his cause; but by various arts and subterfuges he escaped condemnation. 

However, in a third, assembled at the same place in 269, being clearly convicted of heresy, pride, and many scandalous crimes, he was excommunicated and deposed, and Domnus was substituted in his room.

Paul still maintained himself in the possession of the episcopal house. The bishop, therefore, had recourse to the Emperor Aurelian, who, though a pagan, gave an order that the house should belong to him to whom the bishops of Rome and Italy adjudged it, as Eusebius writes. 

St Felix had before declared himself against that heresiarch; for the council had sent the synodal letter to St Dionysius, who being dead, it had been delivered to St Felix. 

A FRAGMENT IS PRESERVED

It must have been on that occasion that our holy pope wrote to Maximus, bishop of Alexandria, a learned epistle, quoted by the council of Ephesus, St Cyril of Alexandria, and St Vincent of Lerins; in which he clearly explained the Catholic doctrine of the whole mystery of the Incarnation. St Cyril has preserved us a fragment of it. 

The persecution of Aurelian breaking out, St Felix, fearless of dangers, strengthened the weak, encouraged all, baptised the catechumens, and continued to exert himself in converting infidels to the faith. 

HE OBTAINED THE GLORY OF MARTYRDOM

He himself obtained the glory of martyrdom; which title is given him by the council of Ephesus, by St Cyril, and by St Vincent of Lerins. He governed the church five years, and passed to a glorious eternity in 274. 

Source: Fr Butler's Lives of the Saints

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who know how courageously your holy martyr Felix confessed the faith, may experience his goodness as he intercedes for us with you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.