Felicianus

ON ST. FELICIANUS, BISHOP OF FOLIGNO IN UMBRIA.

Under Decius.

Felicianus, Bishop of Foligno, Martyr (St.)

[1] St. Felicianus was the Apostle of all Umbria and of the neighboring peoples as well, the Bishop and now the Patron of the people of Foligno. The cathedral basilica of that city is reported to have been built on his own property, so that the man who was to consecrate the Church with his blood might himself found or enlarge it with his own patrimony; for another smaller building, joined to that property, already existed before, The Dedication of the Church of Foligno. which was called the Palatine, which he enlarged with no small addition. It was first dedicated by Felicianus himself to St. John the Baptist. But it was by no means equal to the ample piety of the citizens; even if it had perhaps been restored and enlarged several times over so many passing centuries: therefore, under Bishop Marcus, around the year 1129, it began to be renewed and expanded, and seventeen years later was again dedicated to St. John the Baptist, St. Felicianus, and St. Florentius the Confessor. Ludovicus Jacobilli writes that, besides Julius Bishop of Praeneste, the Legate of the Roman Pontiff, and the Bishop of Foligno, Benedict, there were present at the dedication the Bishops of Narni, Amelia, Spoleto, Assisi, Perugia, Cagli, Gubbio, Urbino, Montefeltro, Rimini, Pesaro, Fossombrone, Senigallia, Ancona, Numana, Fermo, Ascoli, Jesi, Osimo, Camerino, Nocera, eighty Abbots, and very many others distinguished by ecclesiastical rank. The dedication was completed and is commemorated in an annual solemnity on the 10th of March. The same Jacobilli enumerates the ornament added afterwards, the altars, the benefices, and the other glories of that basilica.

[2] The feast day of St. Felicianus (the Translation will be treated later) is celebrated on the 24th of January; The feast day of St. Felicianus, on which day the Roman Martyrology reads: At Foligno, St. Felicianus, who, having been ordained Bishop of that city by Pope Victor, after many labors, was crowned with martyrdom in extreme old age under Decius. Galesinius: On the same day, of St. Felicianus, Bishop and Martyr, who, under the Emperor Decius, having been tortured in various and grievous ways, completed the course of his illustrious contest and departed to his reward in heaven. Canisius has the same. Constantius Felicius: Of Felicianus, Bishop of Foligno and Martyr, in whose name that church was erected, and a solemn feast is held there. He suffered under Decius.

[3] The Acts. We have transcribed the Acts of St. Felicianus from an ancient codex of Metz, which our Jacques Sirmond had lent us with his customary kindness, and we have collated them with another old manuscript of the imperial monastery of St. Maximin at Trier. The same Acts exist at Foligno, as what Jacobilli quotes from them makes clear. We have added Lessons from two old Breviaries of the Churches of Hamburg and Minden: and a fuller Life, which Ludovicus Jacobilli wrote in Italian in his book on the Saints of Foligno, partly drawn from those shorter Acts, partly composed from other most ancient documents of that Church: who says, however, that he published another more prolix history of the same Saint and of the other Bishops of Foligno. Ferrari also treats of St. Felicianus in the Catalogue of the Saints of Italy, and cites a printed life (perhaps the one by Jacobilli?) and the documents of Foligno. Baronius mentions St. Felicianus in tome 2, year 203, no. 2, and year 254, no. 29.

ACTS

from the manuscripts of Metz and Trier.

Felicianus, Bishop of Foligno, Martyr (St.)

BHL Number: 2846

[1] A certain Felicianus, born of a noble family, having been educated by Christian parents at Forum Flaminii, so grew in the fear of God that few men could imitate his faith and prudence: so much so that, going to Rome for the sake of literary studies, Felicianus most holy, a disciple of Pope Victor, he first served God in devotion around the churches and monasteries before pursuing the instruction that had been assigned to him. There, therefore, making progress, when St. Eleutherius, Bishop of the city of Rome, had perceived his lofty purpose, and that he desired to make himself worthy so that he too might merit the priesthood, St. Eleutherius, Bishop of the city of Rome, directed Victor, the Archdeacon, to receive him among his scholars and to have him renounce the secular habit.

[2] He preaches Christ in Umbria: Having therefore returned to his homeland, now learned and a Christian and dear to all, he began to preach the faith of Christ with a free voice to all the people. And because up to that time the whole countryside was still held by pagan idolatry, and the priesthood throughout Tuscany and Picenum was still held to be unknown, he was appointed Bishop by citizens enrolled in the Clergy. And having been conducted to the city of Rome, since St. Eleutherius the Bishop had already passed to Christ, he is made Bishop: and St. Victor the Archdeacon had been made Bishop, when Victor saw that Felicianus had come to him after a long time, he was greatly pleased. And when he learned that he had been brought by his citizens for the honor of the episcopate, they declared their joy was doubled: and so, having conferred upon him the Pontifical honor, he instructed him on how to advance in holy preaching.

[3] Returning to his homeland, he was received by his people with the highest honor. He first won over Foligno by his preaching, after his own city: from which city he also confirmed the lineage of his own origin. He preaches in various cities: He so loved that city that during his episcopate he established a procession on the blessed day of Easter at Foligno. When he frequently traveled to Spello and admonished its neighboring areas, he preaches in various cities: while they were devoted to the goddess Vesta and Mercury, he opened to them the door of piety and made them worshippers of Christ. He brought the city of Mevania with its neighboring areas, to which St. Felicianus had already long before carried the word of God, without difficulty to follow the benefit of grace. But the city of Asisium, devoted to the worship of Jupiter Capitolinus, did not receive the word of Bishop Felicianus. For when he frequently went there to preach, a certain Lucius resisted him in such a way that he would depart having suffered insults. A few, however, who believed among them, followed Bishop Felicianus. The city of Perugia likewise, still devoted to the worship of Mars, some of its people who followed the preaching of the holy man attained the faith of the Lord. Plestia, Nocera, and the further region, and all the mountain areas together with the city of Nursia, where Judaism prevailed, some came to the faith of Christ by his word, following the counsels of the man of God, and adhered to him, a Priest named Pisentius, a most holy man, having been ordained for them in the basilica which is called the Argentea. Wishing therefore to extend the rule to the suburban areas, he frequently visited the city of Trebia. Which so prepared itself by his word, God willing, that within a short time he made all its citizens Christians and frequently bestowed upon them a public procession. The city of Spoleto, however, was so devoted to the worship of Diana that no one at that time received the sacrament of salvation. He consecrates St. Valentine as Bishop: Nevertheless Bishop Felicianus received from St. Victor of the city of Rome the privilege that his neck should be outwardly encircled with a linen sudarium. Then indeed, when he recognized that Valentine, a Deacon of the city of Interamna, adhered steadfastly to him, with the permission of the aforesaid Victor, he himself consecrated him as Bishop, and ordained certain others whom he himself had taught as Priests, by the inspiration of the Lord.

[4] Meanwhile, when the thousandth year from the founding of the City had been completed, under the reign of the Emperor Gordian, the war of the Medes and Persians arose: Gordian, having resisted them and while returning victorious to his homeland, was slain by the faction of Philip the Prefect. Decius, the most cruel Caesar, remained in victory over the enemies. Now Decius devised a plan of Satan, that just as he had triumphed over enemies and foes, so he might also triumph over the faithful Christians: sending his soldiers to the holy men of God Abdon and Sennen, he ordered them to be brought from Persia with him, He is arrested by Decius's command. having heard that they were fighting bravely for the name of Christ, and he caused them, bound in chains, to be carefully conducted to the city of Rome under guard. When Decius therefore arrived through Italy at the ancient city whose name is Forum Flaminii, situated in the public territory, at the hundredth milestone from the city of Rome, he lodged in the public palace; and there he found Felicianus, the Priest of God and Bishop, preaching the praise of God to the people, and he ordered him to be arrested by the soldiers. He was arrested while praying in the basilica called the Palatine, and because he was the first of all in the province, so that before him no one to the right or left of the city of Rome all the way to the Alps had heard the name of Bishop, when interrogated by Decius, he ordered him to be suspended on the rack, he is tortured: and to be handled with clubs and hooks and torches, and to be tormented with various kinds of punishments: but by no means did the faith of the Martyr wish to withdraw its consent. He therefore ordered that Felicianus be thrust into the public prison together with Abdon and Sennen, citizens of Persia: so that the Blessed Abdon and Sennen, who were in custody, seeing the punishment of Felicianus, which the most cruel Decius had inflicted upon him, might be terrified. Then the most iniquitous Decius reflected to himself, lest, placed together in one cell, they might rather console one another and incite many to the glory of perseverance; he ordered them to be kept separately in the prison, so that they could not hear each other speaking.

[5] But the most holy Virgin Messalina, to avoid the assault of the persecutor, had taken refuge in the Palatine church, he is visited in prison by St. Messalina, in which he himself held the priesthood: there she thought herself to be hiding. For daily she secretly came to the prison where St. Felicianus the Bishop was held in custody. And when she frequently went to the prison, who is therefore tortured. on a certain day she was seized by the soldiers: who, having been insulted and beaten with punishment and handled roughly, nevertheless could by no means turn the faith, with which she had been imbued through the Bishop's instruction, from the way of truth.

[6] And then, when the day of the Kalends was pressing, and Decius was eagerly hastening to his triumph, joining Abdon and Sennen to his own retinue, bound in chains, he ordered them not so much to be led as to be dragged to the city of Rome. He exercised indeed great cruelty against the Saints of God when he came to Rome. But Bishop Felicianus, because he was elderly and had been severely torn by punishment, he determined should be brought bound in chains to the city of Rome at a fixed time. When this had been done, and St. Felicianus the Bishop was being dragged by the soldiers to the City in chains, St. Felicianus is dragged to Rome: he performed great miracles among the people: and because, being delicate of body and worn out by old age and punishment, he had failed, at the third milestone from his city at Monte Rotondo he gave back his spirit consecrated to God, he dies on the way: in the ninety-fourth year of his age, the fifty-sixth of his episcopate.

[7] All the inhabitants from the cities that are situated round about came to meet his holy body, and also the Priests and Deacons and Clergymen from the villages where he himself had preached the word of life, he is buried: all of whom he himself had appointed as his ministers: he is renowned for miracles: and they placed his body with great weeping in his own small field, where he himself had commanded, near the city of Foligno, above the Bridge of Caesar, on the ninth day before the Kalends of February, where the benefits of God are bestowed to this very day. Amen.

p Trebia, a town of Umbria between Foligno and Spoleto, called by writers of the Middle Ages Trevis, Trebia. in the Acts of St. Concordius on January 1, Tribulum or Tribula; and in the exemplar used by Cluverius, Tribulis; as he himself also judges, and as Leander expressly asserts, Tribula, now commonly Trevi.

q St. Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, is honored on February 14.

r Interamna, a city of Umbria, surrounded by the river Nar, now commonly called the Nera: Interamna. whence the townspeople are called the Interamnates Nartes, to distinguish them from other Interamnates. The city is now commonly called by Italians Terani, and Terni.

s Concerning the slaying of Gordian and the Philips, and the thousandth year of the City, magnificently but devoutly celebrated by the Christian Emperors, we have treated at greater length in the Acts of Pope St. Fabian on January 20.

t Concerning the wars of Decius against the Persians, this is treated in the Acts of Saints Lawrence, Abdon, and Sennen, etc.: but, as we shall say in its proper place, certain things in them are confused. If, as is said here, when Philip was returning to the City, Decius was left to defend the borders of the empire against the Persians, it will follow that Abdon and Sennen were brought by him into Italy while Philip was still alive: and after Philip had been defeated and killed, they were dragged to the City and slain. But where were they kept in custody for so long, since it is established that Decius was in the city while Philip was still alive? But if either Decius himself broke the peace made with the Persians by Philip, or the Persians did so in revenge for the killing of Philip, or for some other reason, we shall say that Decius waged this war in the first year of his reign, in the year of Christ 250, after affairs at Rome had already been settled, and after many friends of Philip and other illustrious Christians had been slaughtered.

v Saints Abdon and Sennen are honored on July 30.

x Rather Flaminii, from Gaius Flaminius, as we shall say in the other life.

y Pons Centesimus. Concerning Pons Centesimus, Leander writes thus: Five miles from Foligno is Pons Centesimus, where there are certain vestiges of ancient buildings, so called perhaps because from this point one hundred thousand paces intervene all the way to Rome: although in this age the same distance is not reckoned.

z This passage is rightly suspect, like the other above at letter E.

aa We gave the life of St. Messalina on January 23.

bb Monte Rotondo is a town on a high hill not far from the bank of the Tiber, on the Via Salaria, formerly Eretum, a city of the Sabines, later a village. But, as will be clear below from Ludovicus Jacobilli, this Monte Rotondo is a different one, since it is said to have been near Foligno.

THE SAME ACTS

from Lessons of the ancient Breviaries, of the Churches of Hamburg and Minden.

Felicianus, Bishop of Foligno, Martyr (St.)

BHL Number: 2850

From the old Breviaries.

[1] In the time when Gordian Caesar held the citadel of the Roman Empire, Blessed Felicianus, a native of the city of Foligno, was distinguished, having been raised in certain places of Italy. Who, when he had been brought by his Christian parents to Forum Flaviense, began to flourish in the faith of God with such devotion that very few could have imitated him. For when he went to Rome for the sake of literary studies, he visited the churches and sacred places dedicated to divine worship more than the schools of any learned men. Felicianus pious from boyhood,

[2] When Blessed Eleutherius, the Prelate of the Apostolic See, had seen him more devoted to divine service than to the study of secular letters, He studies at Rome: he endeavored with pious affection to lead him through ecclesiastical rudiments to the highest rank of the priesthood. He therefore directed his Archdeacon Victor to enroll him among the students of holy mother Church and to imbue him with the faith and doctrine of Christ. Victor strove with all his might to fulfill the Father's commands.

[3] He becomes a Priest: After Blessed Felicianus had been for some time illuminated by the baptism of Christ and imbued with his doctrine, and raised to the dignity of the priesthood, he returned to his homeland: in which he began to preach Christ with a free voice and to convert many to his faith. He preaches Christ: His homeland itself, devoted to the worship of demons, was entirely ignorant of the faith of Christ. For throughout all Tuscany and up to Picenum the name of the priesthood was held to be unknown, because no Priest of Christ had visited those parts.

[4] Blessed Felicianus was therefore received by his citizens with great honor and elected Bishop, he is made Bishop: and sent to Rome, to be consecrated by the holy Pontiff Eleutherius. When he came to Rome, he found that the same Pontiff had departed from this world to the Lord, and in his place Victor the Archdeacon had been appointed. When the Pontiff himself saw him, he was greatly pleased, immediately understanding that he had been sent to him by the citizens for this reason, that, with the Lord's approval, he might be consecrated Bishop. He consecrated him Bishop with a gracious blessing, with the grace of the Holy Spirit cooperating, and admonished him, saying that he should never cease from the word of preaching.

[5] Returning therefore to his homeland, he was received with great honor and ineffable joy. He preaches in various cities: Then he first illuminated the city of Foligno, from which he drew his origin, with his preaching, and converted it to belief in the Christian faith. Afterwards he opened the door of truth to a certain man named Spetius, a worshipper of the goddess Vesta and Mercury; and he believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.

[6] He also converted the city of Bebania, accompanied by many who had already accepted the word of his preaching, to the faith of Christ without any difficulty. But the city of Assessina, devoted to the worship of Jupiter, He is badly received at Assisi: did not wish to receive the word of his preaching. When he frequently poured forth the word of preaching to them, a certain Lucius, a worshipper of idols, resisted him and inflicted many insults and troubles upon him: and when he departed from that city, some of its citizens, believing in Christ, followed him.

[7] In like manner Perugia, a city devoted to the worship of idols, by no means believed his preaching, By order of the Emperor Decius yet a few of its citizens, accepting the word of his preaching, were converted to the faith of Christ. After this, Decius, who had triumphed with Gordian over the Parthians and Persians, assumed the Empire. When he was returning from the regions of the Persians, he brought with him through Italy the holy men Abdon and Sennen, who were fighting for the faith of Christ: first stirring up persecution against them, he ordered his soldiers to consign them to harsh custody until they should be led to Rome bound in chains.

[8] Then he came to the ancient city whose name is Flaminium, at the hundredth milestone from the city of Rome, situated in the public territory, he is arrested: and there he found Blessed Felicianus the Bishop persevering in the praises of God and constantly engaged in preaching. Then he ordered his soldiers to seize him and bring him before him. While he was praying in the basilica called the Palatine, he was captured by them and led before Decius. Decius addressed him with great fury, saying: Cease from the seduction of my people and offer libations to the gods, he laughs at his threats. before various torments are inflicted. To whom Blessed Felicianus said: From the duty of preaching, as long as the breath of life sustains me, I shall never cease, as the Lord says through the Prophet: Cry aloud, do not cease; raise your voice like a trumpet. Isa. 58:1. For your torments are momentary and cannot long endure; therefore I also consider them as nothing.

[9] He is dreadfully tortured: Then Decius, enraged, ordered him to be suspended on the rack and to be torn with various torments, that he might withdraw from the true faith. But the man of the Lord, terrified neither by torments nor by threats, remained immovable in the faith. Then he ordered his attendants to deliver him into prison with the two sub-kings Abdon and Sennen. Decius then ordered Saints Abdon and Sennen not only to be led to the City bound in chains, but also to be dragged; and he ordered Bishop Felicianus, who was old and exceedingly worn, to be brought bound in chains to Rome at a set time. While he was being dragged by the soldiers to the City in chains, he dies. he performed very many miracles among the people: but on the journey itself he departed from this world.

ANOTHER LIFE

written in Italian by Ludovicus Jacobilli.

Felicianus, Bishop of Foligno, Martyr (St.)

From the Italian of Ludovicus Jacobilli.

CHAPTER I.

The studies, priesthood, and episcopate of St. Felicianus.

[1] St. Felicianus drew his origin from Foligno, born around the year 170 at the town of Forum Flaminii, two miles distant from Foligno, Felicianus of Forum Flaminii. situated where the church of St. John and the town of Turri are now seen; founded by the younger Gaius Flaminius, Consul, one hundred and eighty-five years before Christ, from whom also the Via Flaminia takes its name; destroyed by King Liutprand of the Lombards in the year 740.

[2] Excellently educated, Felicianus was raised with great care by his parents, who were noble and Christian, and instructed in every virtue. Since he was endowed with a keen mind and most upright character, he was held up to others as an example, and he flourished with such a reputation for sanctity that no one in all Umbria seemed worthy of comparison with him.

[3] He is sent to Rome: When he had passed the years of boyhood and had already been imbued with the rudiments of the liberal arts, his parents, seeing that he excelled in talent, sent him to Rome, to be formed in higher disciplines. Here indeed Felicianus established a most upright life, visiting frequently the churches of the Christians, he lives most holily: attending sacred sermons about God and heavenly mysteries, devoting himself to pious actions, fervent prayers, the study of the divine Scriptures, and amplifying the glory of the divine majesty as far as was permitted: avoiding the company of the wicked, seeking out those whom he perceived to be temperate and diligent. He never stained his virginal chastity with any blemish as long as he lived. He revered his elders, was affable with equals, kind to the younger, and won the goodwill of all — not only of Christians but also of pagans. The maturity of his judgment grew with his age, and in a short time he attained such learning, not without the admiration of many, that among men outstanding in learning who were then living in Rome, he was not reckoned the least.

[4] Pope Eleutherius, moved by the fame of his virtue and learning, summoned him to himself, provided what was needed for the pursuit of his studies he becomes a Priest: and for leading an honorable life: then ordained him a priest and commanded him to be his confidential counselor, and shared his own table with him. Then, desiring to devote the knowledge he had acquired through long study to recalling the minds of his fellow countrymen from their errors and vices, he preaches in his homeland: shortly before the Pontiff departed from life, with the Pontiff's approval and favorable prayers, Felicianus returned to Forum Flaminii: and began to instill into the hearts of his fellow citizens the teachings of the Christian religion, with such ardor of spirit and industry that he joined not a few of the people of Forum Flaminii and their neighbors to Christ.

[5] At about the same time, the Bishop of Foligno, a holy man, died. The clergy and people of that city demanded that Felicianus, renowned for his fame of virtue and learning, he is elected Bishop of Foligno, be appointed in his place. He himself resisted with all his strength, considering in his modesty that he was unequal to so great a burden: at last, overcome by the prayers and tears of the people of Foligno, he yielded; with all the greater confidence in divine aid, because he understood that he had been called to that dignity not by human contrivance but by divine counsel, as Aaron had been of old.

[6] The people of Foligno conducted him in great numbers to Rome, to present him to the Roman Pontiff for consecration by the solemn rite. Eleutherius had already departed to the better life, and his Archdeacon Victor had been appointed in his place, the same who was joined to Felicianus by the closest bond of friendship. For this reason, wonderfully gladdened by the sight of him, he embraced him with an unusual expression of goodwill. But he drew a considerably greater joy in his heart he is consecrated by Pope St. Victor, upon learning the wishes of the people of Foligno. Therefore he not only commanded the election to be ratified, but, to attest by a singular prerogative of honor how highly he esteemed him, he presented him, after he had been consecrated by himself with the customary ceremonies, with the pallium, usually granted only to Archbishops, and adorned with ample authority: and, in order to further inflame his zeal for propagating the faith and extirpating error, he gave him the power throughout the whole province widely surrounding Foligno of ordaining priests and other ministers of sacred religion, of dedicating altars and temples, and of consecrating Bishops. These things were done around the year of Christ 203, when Felicianus was in his forty-third year of age.

[7] Augmented by this power and the blessing of the Supreme Pontiff, he set out on the road toward Foligno with his companions, burning with zeal for the glory of God and the propagation of the Christian faith. His companion on the journey was Abundius of Interamna, he stops at Interamna, a man distinguished by sanctity and learning, who afterwards attained the laurel of martyrdom: and he is thought to be the Abundius who completed his glorious contest at Rome with Irene on the 26th of August in the year 261. When the fame of his sanctity and of the most ample power conferred upon Felicianus had been spread abroad, as he approached Interamna, the clergy of that city went out to meet him and received him with the greatest demonstration of honor and reverence. He there enjoyed the hospitality of Valentine the Deacon, a particularly illustrious citizen, outstanding in virtue and learning, who was the brother of the aforementioned Abundius and consummated a noble martyrdom at Rome on February 14 under the Prefect Placidus.

[8] Here Felicianus, having begun his preaching with outstanding learning and a certain burning spirit, and preaches there, persuaded many in that city to be initiated in the Christian sacred rites. He remained there for some days, with his excellent hosts Valentine and Abundius, repeatedly instructing and exhorting the people: and creates St. Valentine as Bishop. and at length he consecrated Valentine himself as Bishop and placed him over the people of Interamna at their request: he also ordained many Priests: restored certain churches as well, and blessed all the people.

CHAPTER II.

Auspicious beginnings of the episcopate.

[9] From Interamna he set out for Spoleto. As he was entering the city, several lepers came to meet him and begged for alms: kissing their hands, At Spoleto he cleanses lepers, he obtained for them perfect health from heaven: they, following behind, openly sang praises to God. Here too he was received with great honor by the Christians and freed many who were possessed by demons, by invoking the name of Christ Jesus. The next day, inflamed with desire to impart salvation to that people, still entangled in errors, he publicly began a discourse on the true religion, employing a certain Apostolic ardor and clear but efficacious arguments. And lest his words should lack sufficient force, having poured forth prayers to God, he confirmed what he had said by a double miracle, a most illustrious one at that, he raises two dead persons: two dead persons having been restored to life in the sight of all the people. Nevertheless, a fruit equal to such great deeds was by no means forthcoming. He built one church there and consecrated a few Priests, who might cultivate that small flock. Having duly arranged these matters and blessing them, he departed.

[10] When he came to Trebia, he found the inhabitants wonderfully devoted to the superstitions of Diana, to whom they had built a great temple as the tutelary goddess of their city. But the holy Bishop, seized with heavenly zeal, At Trebia he converts very many: employed a keen and vehement oration, by which he so moved the minds of the people of Trebia that they of their own accord demolished that temple to the ground with their own hands: in which place a church was afterwards erected and dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity. Therefore, all the inhabitants having been taught our sacred rites in a short time and washed with baptism, he initiated many Clerics, distinguished by their reputation for integrity, who would serve as ministers of sacred affairs.

[11] At last Felicianus arrived in his own city and the one beloved to him with special affection, Foligno, having long been eagerly expected by his flock: for all the Christians of every rank and sex, he is received with honor by the people of Foligno. together with the Clergy, went out to meet him in a most honorable procession all the way to the borders of the diocese, and received him with singular applause: upon whom he, weeping with paternal love, bestowed his blessing. In perpetual memory of this event, a solemn procession is held on the very vigil of St. Felicianus to the seven churches of that city, in which all the Religious communities, the confraternities of citizens, and the entire populace participate together with the Clergy.

[12] Having entered the city, he went to the greater basilica, and sitting upon the episcopal throne, was saluted by the surrounding people with the greatest reverence and submission. When that ceremony was completed, While he celebrates Mass, he began to offer the solemn sacrifice to God. And when the point was reached at which the Bishop is accustomed by ancient rite to preach, he delivered a lofty oration, worthy of his zeal, on the love of God and neighbor, on the obligations by which each person is bound to God, by what incentives one ought to be roused to love Him in return, and with what charity Christians ought to regard their neighbor. When the sermon was finished, the Pontiff continued the Mass: but when he had pronounced the first words of the Preface, as it is called, Per omnia saecula saeculorum, and all the people had responded with a great sense of piety, the church is illuminated by heavenly light, Amen, suddenly an immense light shone from heaven, by which the entire church was illuminated, and the minds of the people were so struck by it that they all prostrated themselves upon the ground. But the Bishop bade them, encouraged by kind words, to rise. And at the same time, as many from that entire multitude as were afflicted by any illness were cured at that very moment. The sick are healed. When the sacrifice was finally completed and all were given leave to return to their homes, they departed exulting with incredible delight, constantly praising God, who had granted them such a holy Pastor.

[13] Moreover, because the day on which the Saint entered Foligno to take up the governance of his Church Annual commemoration of his inauguration. was the most holy day of Easter, on that day was begun the custom of a procession around the city thereafter: which was observed by posterity with annual devotion, at least after the Bishop's death: but it was afterwards moved to the Monday after Easter, so that it might be more conveniently performed, and no longer the entire city but only the Cathedral basilica is circled.

[14] As long as he was at Foligno, he devoted all his thoughts, labor, and industry to advancing the salvation of souls. He constantly spoke of God to those who were still held by pagan superstitions; and to those whom he could win for the Church and for Christ, he himself imparted baptism with his own hand. He enlarged the Palatine basilica, Holy functions in the episcopate. which was the cathedral, by enclosing within the space of the church a piece of land, not very wide, which he possessed adjacent to it and near the city walls, and dedicating it to St. John the Baptist, where he also ordered himself to be buried after death. In that building, which is still the episcopal church and is dedicated to the name of Felicianus himself, he initiated many Priests and other assistants of the divine services: there he addressed the people, performed many miracles, and washed a vast number of people with baptism. He spent all his remaining time in reading, writing, study, psalmody, and especially in constant prayer.

CHAPTER III.

Other cities of Umbria converted.

[15] His immense and thus inflamed charity could not be contained within the narrow limits of his diocese. Having therefore settled affairs at home, he revisited Forum Flaminii, his native soil, and there finally joined the remaining pagans to Christ. From there he set out for Hispellum, He converts very many at Hispellum, and preached Christ not only by word but also by astounding prodigies, restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, the ability to walk to the lame, and health to the sick: and at last he also poured heavenly light upon their souls, and Felicianus himself or his companion Priests baptized all the people of Hispellum and the farmers of the neighboring countryside who had professed the faith of Christ. From there he went to Mevania, and at Mevania. and with few but efficacious sermons, to which miracles added the power of producing faith, he purified by baptism the people of Mevania and their neighbors, who had previously been devoted to impure superstitions.

[16] From here he went to Assisi: he preached publicly as was his custom: but because at that time the city was deeply immersed in the unclean religion of the gods, in the temple He is expelled from Assisi: which they called the Capitol, with all impiety concentrated there from every side, as it were; and because Lucius Flavius, the Governor who ruled the city, vehemently opposed his efforts, he gathered only a scanty harvest there: and at last, having been treated with many insults and beatings by him, he was driven from the city. Therefore, enriched with the most ample treasure of patience and charity, with his companions and the few people of Assisi whom he had begotten for Christ, he withdrew into a certain hut, adjacent to an ancient sepulcher, not far from Assisi: he remains outside with the neophytes; there, having erected a great wooden cross, he exhorted his companions and neophytes to endurance, and assigned them this dwelling place: for they had resolved to withdraw from the midst of the impious to a quieter exercise of piety. The Bishop, having exhorted them to mutual charity and the sharing of all things, after spending some days there, placed some of his companions in charge of their instruction and confirmation, and he himself frequently stopped there afterwards on his journeys and performed many miracles. After the death of St. Felicianus, a church was erected there in his honor, and it still exists, although much deteriorated by age, situated on the public road where afterwards a church, and miracles. that leads to the monastery of St. Damian. There, upon invoking the Saint's patronage, demons were once driven from possessed bodies, sanity returned to the frenzied, lepers were cleansed, every kind of disease was cured, and whirlwinds, hail, tempests, and other noxious conditions of the air were driven away.

[17] Divine punishment was taken upon his adversaries: for all the descendants of those who had been the authors of his beating and expulsion from the city, The adversaries are divinely punished. on the very day of the annual feast of St. Felicianus, lost their senses: and that punishment of the Deity continued until that entire progeny was extirpated, along with the worship of demons.

[18] All the cities described above, and their countryside, and Vettona as well, since they were not far distant from Foligno, Felicianus frequently revisited, and exhorted them with suitable discourses to constancy in divine service and in the exercise of Christian virtues. He frequently revisits the neophytes. And he pursued the people of Trebia especially with extraordinary charity, repeatedly confirming them in the faith by delivering sermons, performing miracles, and organizing processions.

[19] He frequently visited Narnia, burning with zeal to demolish the idolatry that flourished there. At Narnia he suffered much, But when the wicked demon saw that Felicianus's efforts were greatly to his disadvantage, he stirred up the people of Narnia against him: by whom he was assailed with many insults and cast into custody: he himself, however, with an admirable cheerfulness of spirit, gave thanks to God, who had deemed him worthy of this favor, that he might suffer something for His name. Having been released from custody, he revisited the people of Interamna, Spoleto, and others whom he had begotten for Christ, consoled and strengthened them, embracing all with paternal love as a true Pastor. Intending to try Narnia again, he enlisted St. Valentine, Bishop of Interamna, as his companion and helper: afterwards he brought forth fruit: and both, with combined forces and extraordinary ardor of spirit, devoted themselves to the salvation of those wretched people.

CHAPTER IV.

Apostolic excursions under the Emperor Philip.

[20] When the Emperor Gordian Augustus had died, Marcus Philip the Arab, Praetorian Prefect, assumed the empire: who in the second year of his reign, the thousandth from the founding of the City, in the year of Christ 249, embraced the Christian faith, While the Christian Philip reigned, the first of the Roman Emperors to do so. The religion of Christ was then widely amplified, and the Gospel was openly preached. Here a vast field was opened for Felicianus, where his zeal and industry might roam. Mindful therefore of how earnestly Pope Victor had urged upon him the conversion of the pagans, and what great power he had bestowed for carrying out that work more freely, he resolved to go beyond his province, and like a vigorous soldier to traverse all Italy, and to attack the rest of the peoples with the same arts by which he had subjugated the Umbrians to Christ; but not, Felicianus preaches publicly in other places; as before, secretly and creeping in by a kind of tacit insinuation (which arts he had been obliged to use, lest he provoke the deep-rooted hatred of the Governors against the nascent Christian commonwealth, which was still weak, or at least not sufficiently strengthened in numbers): but he judged that he must employ a greater spirit, and preach the sacred rites of Christ openly and fearlessly.

[21] He was in the eighty-ninth year of his age, and the strength of his body was already failing him: At Perugia; but, made stronger by the love of God and neighbor with which he burned, he departed from Foligno, accompanied by several Priests and other Clerics, and made for Perugia. He was received by the Christians of Perugia with great honor and joy: there, by his customary sermons and the performance of prodigies, in a few days he induced no small multitude of people to receive baptism. Having erected several churches there and ordained Priests to care for the sacred rites, and having carefully instructed the Christians, he wished them well, not without tears. From there he traversed the entire territory of Perugia, performing many astonishing miracles everywhere and leading whole peoples to the worship of Christ; among others, the inhabitants of the town situated at Lake Trasimene, which was afterwards called St. Feliciano after his name, now by a corrupted word San Felciano; where a basilica dedicated to his name still exists, and his annual feast is celebrated there.

[22] He then came to Gubbio, having covered that toilsome journey on foot, as was always his custom. At Gubbio, Since he observed that the people of Gubbio were by no means ready to submit to the Gospel, seized by an immense force of love where he promises health to those who would believe, and by an unusual impulse of the divine Spirit, in a memorable example of faith, he publicly proclaimed in the middle of the forum where he was addressing the people that whoever would resolve in their minds to be initiated by baptism would be relieved of whatever illness they had. The hearers marveled: some, even moved by divine instinct, wished to test the truth of his words; which the outcome also proved: for immediately a certain cripple, and another man with dropsy, a hunchbacked woman, and other sick persons were cured: and he obtains it divinely; whom, together with many others who obeyed the Gospel, Felicianus himself baptized.

[23] At Nocera; When the people of Gubbio had been sufficiently instructed in sacred doctrine, he went to Nocera, a city of Umbria, and to the towns situated in the neighboring mountains, at Taginae; and in particular to the city of Taginae, situated in the region called Gualdo, afterwards destroyed by the Lombards and Saracens. In all these cities and places the holy Bishop preached Christ, recalled many from error, and purified them with baptism, performing miracles everywhere so frequent and illustrious that he might seem comparable to those chief figures who ennobled the Church with such signs.

[24] Then, having crossed the Apennines, he emerged into Picenum and the further part of Umbria: in the Apostolic manner he preached the faith, in various cities of Picenum, confirmed it with miracles, and brought forth an immense harvest. He enriched with many spiritual gains Ancona, Ascoli, Jesi, Urbino, Fermo, Osimo, Senigallia, Fano, Fossombrone, Pesaro, Camerino, Tolentino, Numana, Cingoli, and all the cities and towns of the Pentapolis region. In all these places he overturned the superstitions of the gods, raised the Cross, founded churches, dedicated altars, ordained Priests, and cured all the sick he found.

[25] He also discharged his Apostolic duty in Samnium, and converted many and baptized them, likewise in Samnium; and confirmed them by performing miracles. Especially Benevento, Boiano, Sulmona, Chieti, Penne, Amiternum, Ailanum, Interamnium, Sepino, and other cities experienced his zeal. In these he built basilicas, dedicated altars, ordained Priests, and duly instructed all.

[26] Around the year 250, a synod was convoked at Rome by Pope St. Fabian, at which sixty Bishops, very many Priests and Deacons were present, and the heresy of Novatus was condemned by them. That Felicianus was also present is probable, being most renowned in doctrine, piety, and deeds. Moreover, innumerable were those whom the holy Bishop imbued with the true faith in every place; innumerable were the prodigies he performed. At last he resolved to return to Foligno, but took a different route, so as to benefit more people: for when he had passed through those places which he had already visited, At Nursia, and had encouraged the neophytes, he turned aside to the Marsi, always making the journey on foot; and came to Nursia, wonderfully devoted to Hebrew rites: which he thoroughly dispelled by efficacious sermons, by the examples of his most upright life, and by the light of miracles, and taught all the citizens to practice the Christian sacred rites, having dedicated their basilica, which was called the Argentea, to the Virgin Mother of God: and in it he appointed many Priests, and among them St. Picentius, a man of wondrous sanctity: and in other places: having built other churches and altars in the same area, he traversed that entire mountainous province by a most difficult journey, visiting Falacrinum, Cliternum, Carsulae, Furconium, all now ruined towns; the shrine of Vacuna, Vallonia, Interocrea; everywhere exercising the duties of an Apostolic Bishop: and the fruit of his labors was such that he won all to Christ.

[27] Having at last completed, with singular profit, his long and difficult pilgrimage, he returned to Foligno. At Foligno he labors indefatigably. The people hastened to see their Bishop: he himself embraced each one with the greatest affection, wished blessings upon all, and thereafter attended to the salvation of souls, as before, with tireless zeal. And although he was past ninety and worn out by long-standing hardships, he yielded to no one, however vigorous in age, in undertaking labors; spending no small part of day and night in prayer, constantly commending his flock to God, feeding them with sacred admonitions, giving thanks to God who had heaped upon him so many and such constant benefits and had restored him safely to his Church.

CHAPTER V.

Torments endured. Death.

[28] While these things were being done by Felicianus, Decius Caesar, having subdued the Persians and Medes, led his army back into Italy, swelling with pride. The Senate went out to meet him as he arrived at Rimini and received him with the greatest applause and the most vain praises. Decius was borne on a golden chariot, to which were yoked four most excellent snow-white horses: before him went many Christians of illustrious birth in chains, and among them Abdon and Sennen, petty kings of the Persians, who, because they refused to sacrifice to the gods, were tortured with various punishments at Rome to the terror of the rest of the Christians, and at last were slain. Decius was proceeding to the City by the Via Flaminia, and so came to Forum Flaminii and Foligno, with his army spread widely as far as Mevania and the river Clitumnus. Captivated by the pleasantness of the place, he resolved to remain there some days to refresh his soldiers, He visits Saints Abdon and Sennen in prison: since he was so near the City. Felicianus, when he learned that the Christians Abdon and Sennen were detained in chains, went to them in prison, consoled them, and vowed for himself the same happiness, all but envying them that glory of chains. Since, however, the chains prevented the mutual embraces into which they would have wished to rush, they embraced one another in spirit with a singular feeling of love.

[29] When the Bishop went daily to those captive Princes, and performed other functions of Christian virtues, it was reported to the tyrant that many pagans had been beguiled by the Bishop of Foligno, that the temples of the gods had been overturned, that temples had been erected to Christ, that new laws had been established, that innumerable men had been led to condemned religions, that the gods had been treated with insults and injuries, he is denounced to Decius: and that even the prison of the Augustus himself had already been frequently visited, and sermons delivered in it, with the most disgraceful contempt of majesty. Upon hearing these things, Decius orders the Bishop to be dragged before him at once: and he inquires of him whether he is the same Felicianus he is tested with threats and promises: by whom he has heard that so many and such great things were done to the dishonor of the gods. When Felicianus acknowledged it, Decius said: Choose one of two things: either venerate the gods, or you shall meet a death more atrocious and fuller of ignominy than any that even the most stupid and obstinate worshipper of your God has ever undergone. When the Saint scorned his fierce threats, and freely both professed the true religion of Christ and execrated the idols, the tyrant attacked him with promises and bribes: he therefore promised immense riches, honors, and dignities if he would sacrifice to the gods. For he hoped that if he somehow broke his constancy, it would come about that he himself would gain much esteem and honor among the people, and the former worship would be restored to the gods. But when he perceived that his spirit was unconquerable by threats and blandishments alike, he ordered him to be dragged from his sight and torn apart by every kind of torture, so that by this means he would be forced to die a slow and manifold death.

[30] First he was stretched on the rack in barbarous fashion, even the joints of his bones being dislocated: he is dreadfully tortured; then various members of his exhausted body were burned with torches. Felicianus meanwhile gave thanks to God that He was making him, in some measure, similar to the one whose life he had striven to imitate, even in the manner of his death; and he offered himself to endure even more atrocious punishments. The torturers, infuriated, took him down from the rack, scarcely able now to stand on his feet; and then with iron rods, heated red-hot, they mangled him with horrible fury, so that streams of blood flowed. Then with razors, iron hooks, and huge sharp shears they scraped, tore apart, and lacerated his entire body: finally with scorpions they so ripped the flesh that the very bones could be seen.

[31] He continually gave thanks to God, and as though forgetful of himself and of the most bitter tortures that he was enduring, unmoved by the torments: he prayed to God for the torturers themselves and for the conversion of all the pagans; considering it the most bitter punishment of all that he should see the Creator of all things so grievously offended by mortals. The holy Bishop therefore endured with admirable patience the rack, torches, scourges, hooks, scorpions, and other torments. All of these things are believed to have been carried out at the place that is now called Staffo, or Forum Crucis: where, as an everlasting memorial of the blood shed there, an altar was erected, and a column, and above it a cross was placed.

[32] The tyrant orders him, half dead and bound in iron chains, to be shut up in the same prison he is cast into prison: in which Abdon and Sennen were held captive, in order to strike terror of the punishments into them. But the opposite happened. For such a great example of fortitude repeatedly gave them courage: and he himself constantly exhorted them to heroic greatness of soul: in such a way and manner that the prison seemed to present a certain likeness of heaven. This, of course, distressed the evil demon: therefore at his instigation they were separated from one another, so that they could neither hear one another's voice nor be animated by mutual examples and admonitions.

[33] Meanwhile the entire populace was struck with fear, and there was not a single person who would bring any help or comfort to the holy Bishop: he is visited and refreshed with food by St. Messalina: especially since the tyrant had decreed under penalty of death that no one should provide him with any food. Messalina alone, a virgin born of noble parents and a disciple of Felicianus, frequently brought food to him in prison: for which beneficence she received the crown of martyrdom as her reward.

[34] When Decius wished to be in Rome by the Kalends of February, to celebrate his triumph over the conquered Persians and Medes, he departed from Foligno and ordered, as a kind of display, that St. Felicianus, bound in chains, be dragged before his chariot together with Abdon and Sennen and other Christians whom he had brought as captives from Persia. He is dragged to Rome in chains: When the pious Pastor departed from Foligno, turning his face back, he blessed the city dear to him in spirit and with words, because his raised right hand, hindered by chains, as was customary, could not do so. Nor were divine portents lacking at that time, which testified to the sanctity of Felicianus, while the Christians leapt with joy and the pagans were struck with amazement and shame.

[35] Dragged along therefore with incredible fatigue and distress, assailed with many insults, punches, and kicks by the impious satellites of Decius, in the company and society of those Saints whom we have mentioned, when he was a thousand paces from Foligno, at the place then called Monte Rotondo, now called Mormonzone, he dies on the way: exhausted by age, tortures, and toil, having placed his knees upon the ground and fixed his eyes upon heaven, he breathed forth his most holy soul, in the ninety-fourth year of his age, the fifty-first of his episcopate, in the year of Christ 254, on the 24th of January. At the place where he expired, a church was afterwards erected by the people of Foligno, dedicated to his name and honor, and it is now called San Feliciano di Mormonzone: a monastery was later added, which is inhabited by Carmelite Religious.

CHAPTER VI.

Burial. Honors. Benefits.

[36] When the death of Felicianus was made known, the Clergy and citizens of Foligno immediately, The body is brought back to the city; together with many of the neighboring people, assembled at that place in the manner of suppliants, with great piety and many tears, to venerate his relics and to bring them back to their city. When the sacred body had been placed upon the bier and began to be carried toward Foligno, at the mere touch of it a blind man recovered his sight, a lame man his ability to walk, and a dead man his life. Hence a custom arose, which still flourishes at Foligno, that the people of Foligno undertake an annual procession to the church of St. Felicianus, which is situated at Mormonzone, hence an annual procession: on the Sunday that is the first to fall after the feast of St. Felicianus; or if bad weather prevents it at that time, at the earliest convenient time; and they return by the old Roman road, along which the glorious Martyr was once dragged.

[37] But because, due to his unexpected death and the shortage of time, while a tomb is prepared, a tomb could not be hastily erected in the Palatine church, where he had commanded himself to be buried while living, worthy of the piety of the people of Foligno and of his own merits; the opinion has been received from the forefathers that the sacred body lay for eight full days unburied in a certain chapel situated at the city walls, it is deposited elsewhere; exposed for public veneration: for the piety of the citizens and the neighboring people could not otherwise be satisfied, especially that of the Priests, Deacons, and other sacred persons whom he had initiated: who all eagerly hastened together both to venerate the relics and to honor the funeral.

[38] Hence perhaps arose the custom, annually on January 22, two days before the solemnity of St. Felicianus, of carrying his image in a procession organized for that purpose, annual memorial of that event: to the church of the hospital dedicated to St. John, near the old city walls: where it remains for eight days, and is visited with an immense concourse of people, the townspeople and neighbors streaming in from the full breadth of the diocese to venerate that image of the Saint and to kiss his feet. When the eight days are over, it is again carried back by the suppliants, accompanied by a vast crowd of people, with great piety to the cathedral basilica.

[39] While therefore the Christian people indulge their piety at the church where the body had been deposited, as we have said, he is buried. the tomb of the Saint was completed in the Palatine basilica, with the greatest elegance and splendor that the time allowed. Then it was reverently brought there in a solemn procession. Afterwards, in nearly the very center of the city, a very spacious basilica was erected, which is now the cathedral, dedicated to St. Felicianus, A church dedicated to him. where his annual feast is celebrated with the greatest solemnity. When therefore the body was interred there, eight days were again given to veneration: and that piety flowed down to posterity, for until the eighth day after his solemnity, a most crowded concourse of people comes to that church, venerating and kissing his image and imploring his patronage.

[40] For a long time the body of the most holy Martyr was exposed for the veneration of the faithful, The relics concealed: and through his merits many prodigies were performed from heaven. Then, in the course of centuries and the storms of wars that afflicted Italy, it was hidden, out of a certain zeal lest it be stolen; and it lies hidden even now. At Metz, a city of Lorraine on the border of the Franks and Germans, some were translated to Metz. a certain portion of the sacred body exists in the monastery of St. Vincent on the island, brought there by Bishop Theodoric in the year 969: and it is held in great veneration, and they solemnly celebrate the Saint's feast day on the 24th of January and the translation on the 20th of October annually.

[41] Felicianus did not forsake his people of Foligno after death: but both in other matters, The Saint protects Foligno: and especially in the tumults and wars that seemed to threaten that city with destruction, he aided it with present help, granting victory from heaven and other benefits: which has been written by me more fully elsewhere.

[42] He once appeared to a certain distinguished, pious, and holy man of Foligno, he obtains three divine benefits for it. and indicated that he had obtained from God three gifts and prerogatives for his city: that no heresy would take root there; that in no battle would the citizens be annihilated or lose their standards and banners; and that the city itself would never suffer destruction from enemies. And the fidelity of this promise has held to this day; the more admirable because those by whom his worship has been neglected have often paid horrifying penalties.

RELICS OF ST. FELICIANUS

translated to Belgium and Saxony.

Felicianus, Bishop of Foligno, Martyr (St.)

BHL Number: 2851

In the year of Christ 969. 20 October.

From various sources.

[1] While at other times the Germans and Gauls often strove to obtain relics of Saints for themselves from Italy, in the age of Otto the Great very many were carried across the Alps. Theodoric I, Bishop of Metz, who was connected by blood to Otto himself and to Hugh Capet, surpassed the zeal of almost all others in this matter. He had built the monastery of St. Vincent: and he judged that it should not only be enriched with possessions but also adorned with these heavenly treasures. And he carried this out with such a striving of piety that he might seem to some to have come close to the fault of recklessness. For Sigebert writes under the year 969 that when the chain of St. Peter had been placed around the neck of a certain Count who had been seized by a demon, The chain of St. Peter brought to Metz by Bishop Theodoric, and the devil, foaming and crying out greatly, had immediately departed, Bishop Deoderic of Metz, seizing that chain, declared that he would not release it unless his hand were cut off: at last the Emperor, having settled the dispute, obtained from Pope John that the Bishop should be granted a link cut from that chain. This Pope, moreover, was John XIII.

[2] Then concerning the relics of other Saints, and specifically of St. Felicianus, Sigebert adds the following there: Theodoric, Bishop of Metz, bound to the Emperor by blood, affection, and intimacy more than all others, while he served in the Italian expedition under him for three years, collected, by whatever means he could, many bodies and relics of Saints from various places in Italy. The relics of St. Felicianus and others, First from the Marsi, St. Elpidius the Confessor, whose companion Eutychius the Bishop the Emperor himself had already taken; from the people of Amiternum, the Martyr Eutyches with the relics of Maro and Victorinus his companions; from Foligno, Felicianus the Bishop and Martyr; from Perugia, the Martyr Asclepiodatus; from Spoleto, the Martyr Serena, together with Gregory of Spoleto the Martyr; from Corduno, relics of Vincent the Martyr and Levite, once brought from Spain to Capua by two monks, and from Capua brought there; from Mevania, another Vincent, Bishop and Martyr; from Vicenza, Leontius the Bishop and Martyr; from Florence, Mineates the Martyr; from the city of Todi, Fortunatus the Bishop and Confessor; from Corfinium, Lucy the Syracusan Virgin and Martyr, once translated there from Syracuse by Duke Faroald of the Spoletans; from the Sabine territory, parts of the bodies of the Martyrs Protus and Hyacinthus. All these things, together with a part of the chain of St. Peter the Apostle, with hairs of the same, and the blood of St. Stephen the Protomartyr, and a part of the gridiron of St. Lawrence the Martyr, given to him by Pope John, together with many other relics of Saints, Bishop Deoderic translated to Gaul in this year and placed them in the church of St. Vincent the Martyr, which he had built on the island of the city.

[3] In the codex of Metz that we used, after the Acts of St. Felicianus, without a new heading, the following appeared: Whom, in the integrity of his most sacred body, from the very monument, with the Canons and monks of his Church, however many were present at the time, * most securely, not without the great weeping of the citizens, and even of the Bishop of the See himself, [he] received him and in the monastery of Blessed Vincent, which Deoderic himself, humble minister of the holy and deservedly venerable See of Metz, piously and reverently built from the foundations under the rule of the holy Father Benedict, as a port of eternal salvation for those who flocked there, outside the wall of that most august city, on the island of the Moselle river; with the unanimous applause of both the Apostolic [See] and of both Emperors and of the entire most holy Senate of the palace, Donated to the monastery of St. Vincent: for you, his most beloved sons, he devoted himself to placing there, from those very Transalpine kingdoms, as Patron, together with Eutyches and Asclepiodatus, both of them Martyrs and Bishops (of one of whom the account of life and passion is commemorated in the pages of the holy Scriptures by the ancients; of the other the feast day is celebrated on the 15th before the Kalends of November), together with the chain of Blessed Peter, Prince of the Apostles, which he obtained from the Lord John, the sacrosanct Pontiff of the Apostolic See, together with a privilege and other honor worthy of being revered for that monastery, and Elpidius, Bishop of the Marsi, memorable for his life and virtue.

[4] So reads the passage; which seems to have been written either by Theodoric himself, or sketched from his letter or charter of donation: for the author calls Deoderic the humble minister of the Church of Metz, which almost no one writes of anyone except himself. As for his saying that he was aided by the patronage of both Emperors in obtaining those relics, these were both Ottos, father and son, who were present. The memory of most of the Saints, whose relics Sigebert writes were translated together by Theodoric, is celebrated on other days: Vincent the Deacon and Martyr on January 22; Serena the Virgin Martyr on the 30th of the same month; Eutyches, Maro, and Victorinus, Martyrs of Amiternum, on April 15; Vincent, Bishop of Mevania and Martyr, on June 6; Protus and Hyacinthus, Martyrs, on September 11; Fortunatus, Bishop of Todi, on October 14; Mineates the Martyr on the 25th of the same month; Lucy the Virgin Martyr on December 13; Gregory of Spoleto the Martyr on the 24th of the same month. Whether Leontius, who is honored on August 20, is the Martyr of Vicenza, or another, is unknown to us: likewise whether Elpidius the Bishop Confessor is the companion of St. Priscus, of whom we treat on September 1: or whether Eutyches is the companion of St. Januarius, of whom we treat on September 19; but that one was not a Bishop. Asclepiodatus is still unknown to us. There is an Asclepiades, Bishop of Antioch and Martyr, on October 18; an Asclepiodotus in Thrace on September 15, but not a Bishop. But who or when were their relics brought to Perugia?

[5] Andreas Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology mentions the relics of St. Felicianus brought to Metz on this day; but he calls him Theodore, who for the rest is Theodoric, or Deoderic. The same translation is treated by Vincent of Beauvais in book 24, chapter 88; Michael the Monk in the Sanctuary of Capua; Baronius in the Notes to the Martyrology and in volume 10 of the Annals, year 969, no. 16, where he makes this observation: Now when you hear that bodies were translated, understand it in such a way that they received a part of them, not the entire bodies: as in the said places, Not whole bodies were translated, but parts. which are still seen and venerated, the relics of the said Martyrs provide undoubted proof. Ludovicus Jacobilli writes above that the solemn commemoration of that Translation is celebrated at Metz on October 20: Saussay does not mention it on that day: it was not our fortune to see the Calendar of the Church of St. Vincent.

[6] But at Minden, an illustrious city of Lower Saxony on the river Weser, the feast of St. Felicianus is usually celebrated with distinction on October 20, which is undoubtedly the day of the Translation. For that some relics of St. Felicianus were also brought there is clear from the Breviary of Minden, published by the authority of Bishop Francis in the year 1515, in which on that day this Prayer is recited: At Minden also there is a part of the body of St. Felicianus, Be propitious, O Lord, to us your unworthy servants, we beseech you, through the glorious merits of your Saint Felicianus, Martyr and Bishop, who rests in this present church; so that by his pious intercession we may be protected from all adversities. Through the Lord. The Lessons from the same Breviary we have given above. In the second Vespers also, in the Responsory, as they call it, after the Chapter, mention is made of the relics; for it reads thus:

Minden, applaud to God, and rejoice to bring forth song, Because the supreme God has enriched and blessed you, Giving you through this Patron a venerable gift, With nothing opposing, through whose merits mediating You are truly saved, if you more holily venerate him.

The memory of the Saint is also inscribed in the Martyrologies on that day. The old Cologne Martyrology and the manuscript Florarium have this: At Minden, of St. Felicianus the Martyr. Molanus and the Roman Martyrology: At Minden, the birthday of St. Felicianus, Bishop and Martyr. Feast on October 20. Baronius adds this note: Since no Bishop of Minden of that name is found, this is perhaps the same Felicianus, Bishop of the Church of Foligno and Martyr, whose venerable relics the Emperor Otto the Great translated to that region, as Sigebert writes in the chronicle under the year of the Lord 969. We have given the words of Sigebert: he does not write "to that region," but that they were translated to Metz in Belgian Gaul.

[7] Albert Krantz in book 1 of the Metropolis, chapter 9, narrates the beginnings of the Church of Minden under Wittekind, Duke of the Saxons, and Charlemagne, King of the Franks, and adds: The Church was moreover adorned from the very beginning with many relics of Saints: of Felicianus, Bishop of Foligno and Martyr, of Theodore the Bishop, of Carpophorus and Abundius the Martyrs. These are also honored there with the Office of nine Lessons: Theodore the Bishop and Confessor on September 19, Abundius and Carpophorus on December 10. In the published Chronicle of the Bishops of Minden, mention is also made of these relics: Hanno, the twenty-sixth Bishop of Minden. This holy Bishop, seeing the greater church of Minden miserably bereft of the relics of Saints through a fire, collected from various places the bodies and relics of Saints and conveyed them to the aforesaid church. ... These then are the relics in the greater Church of Minden, namely the bodies of Saints Felicianus the Bishop, Carpophorus and Abundius the Martyrs, Theodoric the Bishop, and St. Sophia the widow. Likewise of these Saints the greatest part of the bodies is held, namely of Timothy the Apostle, likewise his chain. Gorgonius the Martyr, ... The chain of St. Felicianus the Bishop, with which he was led.

[8] Although Krantz thinks that those relics were given to the Church of Minden from the very beginning, it seems much more probable that most of them were brought at the same time as those to Metz; When they were brought there. or a little before, when Otto returned to Germany from the first Italian expedition in the year 965. That Landward, Bishop of Minden, was with him at that time is gathered from what is said on January 21 in the history of the Translation of St. Epiphanius, chapter 1, no. 4.

Side Note* some errors here. Side Note a "Sedis" seems to be missing.