Felix

ON ST. FELIX, CONFESSOR AND ROMAN PRIEST, AT NOLA

Beginning of the Fourth Century.

Felix, Roman Priest at Nola (S.)

[1] It is a most frequent error in the sacred Calendars that Saints bearing the same name have their Acts intermixed and more shamefully corrupted, the more extraneous honor is attributed to each. This happened to Felix of Nola and to the other Roman Priest Felix, Two Priests named Felix confused. as we have already warned and treated at length concerning the former. The latter is mentioned by fewer authors, because his deeds have been transferred to the former. Others have recorded here the Roman Martyr, because when they read that two Felixes were honored on this day, and one was the brother of a Martyr Felix, they rashly supposed the Roman Martyr and the Nolan son of Hermias, praised by St. Paulinus, to be brothers.

[2] Others have distinguished two Roman Priests, of whom the elder suffered martyrdom at Rome on the Via Portuensis, the younger, having survived torments, was exiled, The name of the other in the Martyrologies. and finally died at Nola as a Confessor; and a third was a Priest of the Nolan Church. Michael the Monk testifies that in the Capuan Breviary three lessons are recited: the first about the Roman Martyr, the second about the brother who was a Confessor, the third about the Nolan, who is, however, incorrectly called a Bishop in that reading. Two manuscripts of Usuard cited above, after celebrating the Nolan Felix (but incorrectly calling him a Bishop), add: "Likewise on the same day, St. Felix, Priest and Confessor." The manuscript of the Church of St. Gudula at Brussels: "In the same place (Nola), Felix the Priest, brother of the preceding (namely, of Hermias's son—incorrectly; more likely of the following, for it immediately adds the Roman Martyr), who bravely fought for the confession of Christ; but the Church holds him to be a Confessor rather than a Martyr."

[3] More fully on the same subject, Rabanus and the manuscript of St. Maximin at Trier: "On the same day is the feast of Felix, brother of the same (an error, already noted above), whom Draccus, the City Prefect, compelled to sacrifice to idols, and beat with rods, and ordered to be deported into exile to quarry squared stones; but by the power of God he converted many there to the faith" (thus far the manuscript of St. Maximin; the published Rabanus continues:) "namely, the Tribune Probus and those who were with him. Then he destroyed the idol of Apollo, in which place the faithful later built a temple to God. After twelve years, on the Lord's Day itself, having completed the sacred mysteries, he departed to the Lord Jesus Christ." He seems to be called a Bishop in a fourth Capuan Calendar cited by the Monk: "St. Felix in Pincis, Priest and Martyr; and Felix of Nola, Bishop and Confessor." For what other Felix is mentioned as a Bishop, except this one who was a Martyr? By some he seems to be celebrated on August 30, as we said above from Ferrarius, §1, no. 4.

[4] The Acts of this Felix had been transcribed by Rosweyde from a very ancient manuscript of Claude du Puy, which we have collated with Mombritius and with the manuscripts of St. Maximin and St. Martin at Trier, St. Mary of Ripatorio, and Nicolas Belsort. His Acts. Vincent of Beauvais recounts nearly the same things, book 18, chapter 40, and Peter de Natali, book 2, chapter 75; Ado and others have confused them with the Acts of the other Felix, as was said at length above.

ACTS FROM ANCIENT MANUSCRIPTS.

Felix, Roman Priest at Nola (S.) BHL Number: 2885

From manuscripts.

[1] It came about after the completion of the martyrdom of the most blessed (a) Priest Felix that another Felix, his younger brother, (b) alike in name and deed, himself also a Priest, having been brought before the most wicked (c) Draccus, Prefect of the City, the latter began to compel him to sacrifice to idols. St. Felix is brought before the Prefect Draccus. To this the blessed Priest Felix said: "I think you have become enemies of your own gods. For to whatever temples of your gods you bring me, the same thing will happen to them that happened to those (d) to which you brought my brother, and which you now regret. But if you wish to test the power of my Lord Jesus Christ, command me to go to the Capitol, and I will make Jupiter himself, the chief of your demons, fall."

[2] Hearing this, the Prefect Draccus stopped his ears and ordered him to be beaten with rods He is beaten with rods. and exiled to the mountain called (e) Circeii, where squared stones were quarried, so that St. Felix would do this labor every day of his life. He is banished. Arriving then at the aforesaid place, he found there the daughter of a certain Tribune named Probus, who was in charge of the place, being tormented by a demon. He invoked the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and immediately his daughter was healed. He frees a demoniac. Then the Tribune Probus, seeing this miracle performed on his daughter, threw himself at Felix's feet, crying out and saying: "Truly you are a true man and saint of God." And from then on he absolutely did not allow him to suffer any injury there. He converts the Tribune Probus. This Tribune was Probus both in name and in deed, a citizen of Nola. He was also told that his wife had contracted the disease of dropsy. To this St. Felix said: "Do not be sad; only believe that my Christ is the true God, and your wife will be saved." When he said, "I believe," Felix blessed some oil and sent it to her; anointed with it, after three days she was made well. He cures a woman of dropsy.

[3] Then a colleague of the Tribune Probus went to the (g) Consular and so managed that (h) he had Felix led away in chains, because he had heard him confessing Christ. But when those from the court came to seize him, their hands were turned to pain, so that they emitted howls of terrible anguish. Those who try to arrest him are punished; baptized, they are freed. To them the blessed Felix said: "Say, 'Christ is the true God,' and the pain will leave you." When they cried out, "Christ is the true God," they were immediately freed from the pain. And all who were present believed in the Lord and were baptized.

[4] When the time of his (i) tribuneship was completed, Probus returned together with St. Felix (k) to Nola. There was there a chief priest of the demons who, as it were, divined for the wretched pagans. He, seeing St. Felix, fell at his feet saying: "Lord, my god saw you coming He puts a demon to flight from idols. and fled; and when I said to him, 'Why do you flee?' he replied: 'I can in no way endure the power of this Felix who comes with the Tribune Probus.' If therefore my god so fears you, how much more should I fear and venerate you?" The blessed Felix said to him: "I am a servant of Christ; fear and venerate him." Hearing this, he believed in Christ. While St. Felix was staying there and cultivating a garden for himself, some came by night to steal his vegetables; and finding there his (l) hoes, they labored all night long by the light of the moon. It seemed to them, however, that they were committing theft. Thieves unknowingly cultivate his garden. But in the morning they were found laboring. When St. Felix saw them, he said: "May the Lord help you, my sons." And they, throwing themselves at his feet, confessed what their intention had been and what the Lord had brought about.

[5] It happened afterward that St. Felix came to the temple which was (m) nearby, in which the demon Apollo was said to be the diviner of the pagans. And seeing the people entering, he said to them: "If Apollo is truly a diviner, He renders Apollo mute. let him tell me what I hold in my closed hand." Now in his hand was a small Gospel book, in which was written the Lord's Prayer. And when neither any one of them, neither their priest, nor their soothsayer, the minister of Apollo, could indicate what it was, St. Felix said to them: "Wretched ones, why do you err? Tell me, what does this Apollo do for you that you should worship him?" They said: "He detects thefts and divines if anyone seeks the source of some injury." St. Felix said to them: "You will obtain these things better from the Lord Jesus Christ; but do not be saddened at the destruction of this Apollo. For I command him to dare no longer to give you responses." When the Pagans saw that no responses were given them by him, but that rather great wonders were wrought by St. Felix—the blind given sight, demons put to flight, those held by various diseases healed, and those near death restored to life through his prayers—they threw the image of Apollo upon the pavement, He destroys the idol. and building an oratory in that same place, they all believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

[6] The most blessed Priest Felix survived in the same city for twelve years. Whoever came there from among the pagans to attempt to seize a (o) Christian and bring him to judgment was immediately filled with a demon. When he believed in Christ, he was cleansed by St. Felix and, giving thanks to God, departed a Christian Those who try to seize St. Felix are punished. who had arrived a pagan. After twelve years, on the Lord's Day itself, having completed the sacred mysteries and given the kiss of peace to all the people, casting himself upon the pavement in prayer, he departed to the Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, through immortal ages of ages, Amen. He dies piously.

a Of the Roman Martyr, who is honored with Adauctus on August 30.

b Mombritius: "in spirit" (Latin: animo).

c He is called Draco by Maurolycus and Bede; Draccontius by the Cologne Martyrology; Draccus by Surius and the Centula manuscript; Dracus by the manuscript of St. Lambert at Liege and by Peter de Natali; Draceus by some manuscripts; Draccus by Ado and most others.

d Namely, to Serapis, Mercury, and Diana.

e The Belfort manuscript: "Circaerius." The manuscript of St. Maximin: "Circus." Vincent and the Claude du Puy manuscript: "Circeio." The Circaean promontory is in Italy, not far from Terracina, and on it was formerly a town, a Roman colony, commonly called Circeii, in Greek Circaeum and Circaea. Traces of the town are still seen on the mountain, or promontory, commonly called La citta vecchia, as Cluverius writes. Side Note: Circeii. After the town fell, a fortress was built there, a safe refuge for the ancient Pontiffs from the cruelty of tyrants, as Leander states in his work on Latium. At the base of Mount Circeii there is a castle called Santa Felicita. The promontory takes its name from the enchantress Circe, who is said to have dwelt there, where there was once a shrine to her. The mountain is now commonly called Monte Circello.

f Peter de Natali adds: "in the city of Nola."

g Vincent: "the Consulars." Four Consulars, who administered justice throughout Italy, were created by Hadrian; later there were eight. Here the Consular of Campania is meant, as is treated in the Notitia Dignitatum of the Western Empire.

h Peter writes that Probus was ordered to be arrested.

i So most manuscripts; some have "Tribunatus" (tribuneship).

k Some codices add: "to his own city." The manuscript of St. Maximin: "to the Nolans." Vincent and some manuscripts: "Nolanum" (to the Nolan estate), perhaps a villa in the territory of Nola.

l Mombritius: "Weeding-hoes." The Italian vanga is the same as a bipalium (a two-pronged digging tool).

m The manuscript of St. Maximin: "village."

n Others read: "some injury" or "some injuries."

o Mombritius and the du Puy manuscript: "Christ." Belfort: "him."