Felix
Acta Sanctorum, May 18
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-18/felix.html
----------------------------------------

ON SAINT FELIX

BISHOP OF SPELLO, MARTYR.

UNDER MAXIMIAN

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

The controversy about the place of the See & of the Martyrdom discussed, the cult explained, the Spaniards refuted.

Felix, Bishop, Martyr of Spello (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

Plainly happy are the Saints, who after this miserable
life passed among mortals, attain eternal
felicity in the heavens: for
the obtaining of which very many for Christ poured forth blood
& life. Of these various ones
also by their own proper name were called Felix (Happy), [Various Saints called Felix.] &
by us in these five first months nearly a hundred
brought forward, some Presbyters, various Bishops, & three Supreme
Pontiffs: nor would it be a wonder, if the Acts which are proper to one,
be accommodated to various ones. There occurs on this XVIII
of May St. Felix Bishop & Martyr, of whose Episcopal See
& place of martyrdom, the opinion of all is not the same. The most ancient
memory of him, as far as we know, is celebrated in
the Martyrology of Usuard in these words: On the same day, XV Kalends
of June, of Saint Felix the Bishop, who at the Spellatensian
city under Maximian the Emperor the palm of martyrdom
obtained. [Bishop & Martyr of Spello in Usuard,] So have the manuscript copies of Usuard
fourteen, existing with us, the chief which we think can
be found. For there are among them two at Paris in the monastery
of St. Germain des Prés, where Usuard wrote & lived,
copied, & by Jacobus Sirmond with the original parchments
collated: others we have nearly on parchment copied in Gaul,
England, Belgium, Italy, so that of the constant reading there can
be no doubt: which the Martyrologies of Usuard printed
at Cologne & Lübeck in the year 1490 confirm, likewise by Greven with the Auctarium
at Cologne in the years 1515 & 1521 printed, & afterwards at Paris
1536, & finally a third time republished by Molanus. There agrees
besides the MS. Martyrology of Ado, preserved at Liège in the monastery
of St. Laurence: which Martyrology of Ado being alleged,
Peter de Natalibus book 5 of the Catalog chapter 13 thus writes: [Peter de Natalibus,]
Felix the Bishop at the Spalatensian city under Maximian
the Emperor suffered: who when Christ
the Lord he preached, by the Judge apprehended, after
very many tortures by the smiting sword the palm of martyrdom
obtained on the XV Kalends of June. These things there. [Canisius,] Peter Canisius
in the Germanic Martyrology printed in the year 1573 formed his
elogium from Peter de Natalibus, & writes that he suffered
in the city of Spello: which also now we judge in
Peter de Natalibus should be read, by an easy error of Amanuenses or
typesetters, the two first vowels being transposed.

[2] But because the city Spello was not sufficiently known, in place
of it Spoleto, a most known city of Umbria, was assumed in
the Martyrology of Bellinus in the year 1498 at Venice, [that city is not Spoleto,] & in the year 1521
at Paris printed. There followed Maurolycus, Felicius, Galesinius, who
yet in the Notations noted these things: At Spoleto, otherwise in the city
Spellatensian: which city is not far from Spoleto.
In the same manner in the Roman Martyrology he is said to have suffered at Spoleto:
where Baronius instead of "of Spoleto," thinks "of Spalato" the Bishop
should be said. Philippus Ferrarius in the New
Topography of the Roman Martyrology, [but Hispellum] printed in the year 1609
at Venice, fol. 62, Hispellum, he says, Spello, a city
of Umbria, ancient, formerly Episcopal, to Foligno at II
M. paces nearest, to those going to Assisi occurring,
built on a hill, where some vestiges of antiquity, especially
of an Amphitheater, remain: the Bishopric of that
into the Bishopric of Spoleto passed. XVIII
May, Felix Bishop of Hispellum, not of Spoleto,
who in the time of Pope Marcellinus & at the Sinuessan Council
was present. There is in it the name of Felix, but not added
the Episcopal See. The Council itself, such as it is had, is a mere
& pure fiction, [in the elogium of Ferrarius.] as in the Chronology of the Roman
Pontiffs is taught; yet ancient, which is enough
for this place. The same Ferrarius in the Catalog of the Saints of Italy
published in the year 1613, composed this elogium of him: Felix
Bishop of Hispellum, Diocletian & Maximian being Emperors,
while the Episcopal office in that city
he was performing, & many by preaching to Christ
was leading; by command of the Prefect apprehended, that to Christ
he should renounce, with many tortures was afflicted: all which
when with admirable tolerance he had overcome, nor to preach Christ
ceased; at last his neck strongly
being given he was crowned … Then in the Annotation, At Hispellum,
he says, in the greater church, under his image on the wall
painted, the subscription thus has. St. Felix Bishop
of Hispellum. At Spoleto also, in the Cathedral Church,
an ancient image of him with an inscription of this kind,
St. Felix Bishop of Hispellum, is seen.

[3] Thadeus Donnola of Spello, Doctor of both Laws, & in the Roman
Curia for the defendants of the holy Inquisition Office of causes Patron, [Felix himself]
published at Venice in the year 1620 a treatise On the place
of the martyrdom of St. Felix Bishop of Spello, & page 23 &
the following ones approves the reading of the Martyrology of Usuard, from other
manuscript & printed copies, namely, that he suffered at the Spellatensian
city: for which he adds, in ancient MSS.

from the better version of our Petavius, [then at Tyre in the year 335] these are. At Tyre in Phoenicia
to convoke a Synod, the Emperor Constantine, ordered,
& over that judgment to preside with some others Eusebius
of Caesarea, who all were more inclined to the most empty
dogma of the Arians. With these from the Catholic
Church of Egypt & subject to Athanasius certain Bishops
were called, altogether primary & excellent
men, & endowed with excellent holiness of life & religion;
among whom of happy memory that great
Potamon was, Bishop of Heraclea & Confessor.
There were present also the Meletians, [where Eusebius of Caesarea,] especially the accusers of Athanasius.
But Blessed Potamon, with the ardor of truth & right faith
boiling, a man of the highest liberty of speaking, who of no
person ever had had regard, & for the confession of the truth
had lost the other eye in the persecution;
Eusebius sitting & judging, but standing
Athanasius seeing; consumed with grief &
weeping, as is wont to happen to sincere minds,
with a great voice inveighed against Eusebius:

[3] And, Do you, he said, Eusebius, sit, & the innocent
Athanasius be judged by you? Who could endure these things?
Tell me, pray, were you not with me in the time of persecution in
custody? [with excellent liberty he reproaches in defense of St. Athanasius.] And I indeed lost an eye for the truth:
you are mutilated in no part of body,
nor have you undergone martyrdom, but living & whole you stand.
By what means did you fly out of custody? unless that
to our persecutors a nefarious crime you promised to commit,
or even committed? Eusebius hearing these things,
greatly grieved; & suddenly rising,
dismissed the Council, & thus spoke: If coming hither
you dare so greatly to contradict us, it is true indeed
what your accusers object: for
since in this place a certain tyranny you exercise,
much more in your fatherland do you do it.

Baronius, [Wrongly is he called into the communion of the Meletian schism,] he would not have written in his notes on the Roman
Martyrology, that this St. Potamon at some time
adhered to Meletius in the schism, whence at length
drawing back his foot for the Catholic faith against
the Arians he excellently contended. It seems Baronius was deceived
by the author of the old Basel version Cornarius,
obscurely between the points, in this manner: And there were called the Bishops
of Egypt… Among whom was Blessed Potamon, that great
Bishop of Heraclea & Confessor, but also of the Meletian
parts, these who accused Athanasius.
But under a better punctuation a clear sense even
the words of Cornarius will have, if thus they be read. And there were called
the Bishops of Egypt … (among whom was Blessed Potamon
…) but also of the Meletian parts, these who Athanasius
accused, namely, were called. Certainly at the time of the Nicene
Council Potamon was by no means numbered among those,
who adhered to Meletius. Indeed Meletius there on that condition
received with his own to the Catholic communion, that he should
ordain no more Bishops; but the names should deliver,
of those whom he had adhering to himself; thus I say received
Meletius, not only did he not number among his partisans
Saint Potamon, but expressly set down Peter τῆς
Ἡρακλοῦς, that is, of Heraclea or Heracleopolis; namely
there ordained against Patamon for his faction, just as
elsewhere he had ordained others for the same faction, against the Bishops
of the Catholic part; & this teaches the very Breviary of Meletius
the Pope, given to Alexander the Bishop, which is exhibited in
the Syllogos of Athanasius, or, to speak with the common, in the second
Apology.

end of Potamon, & consonant with his first Confession & the rest of his life
thus narrates: Serapammon the Bishop
& Confessor they drove into exile (Philagrius
the Prefect & Gregory the Pseudo-bishop) but Potamon,
who as a Confessor himself also had lost an eye in the persecution,
cutting him with blows dealt to his neck, [he dies a Martyr,]
did not before rest than they believed the man
to be dead. Then namely cast off by them, &
with difficulty after some hours treated & revived, he resumed
his spirit; God granting him life, but very
brief. For after a little time, from
the pain of the blows, he died, having in Christ
the glory of a second martyrdom.

in the year CCCXLI immediately from the coming of Philagrius & Gregory into
Egypt done. But there ought at least to be interposed that whole tragedy of the invaded
church, whence Athanasius himself with difficulty by flight withdrew,
which in the Commentary on his Life we exhibited chapter
13 from his epistle to the Orthodox. Now that was done,
in the time of the Pasch, which fell on the IX day of April: nor
then were the Bishops at Alexandria, each in his own diocese
on account of the feast most occupied. [in an uncertain month.] But neither is it established that the deed was done at Alexandria,
& that thither the Bishops were summoned: for the persecution could
be carried around through Egypt, Philagrius the Prefect going about it
& Balacius the Duke, for the churches to be delivered to the Arians: it could also
in the following year have been done, & therefore the vexation of two so illustrious
Confessors have been passed over, in that epistle which
I said to the Orthodox.

on which St. Potamon died. In today's Roman Martyrology,
on this XVIII of May, thus is read: In Egypt of St.
Potamion the Bishop, who first under Maximinus a Confessor,
then under Constantius the Emperor & Philagrius
the Arian Governor, was crowned with martyrdom: but by no older
Martyrology's example are we taught so to read. [The name in today's Roman: but whence?] There is cited
in the Notes Bede, the supposititious namely: but this one, as above we saw,
has nothing else, than from the class of the older Alexandrian Martyrs
rashly received Potamion,
after two companions taken from the same place: who although by the consensus of several MSS.
is better called Potamon, & so also everywhere is called
in Athanasius & Epiphanius this our one, Bishop
& Martyr, yet by no verisimilitude will it be presumed, that this one
is he of whom treat the most ancient copies of the Hieronymian Martyrology;
into which the Martyrs who are inserted, can be believed
all to have suffered under heathen Emperors.

ON SAINT FELIX

BISHOP OF SPELLO, MARTYR.

UNDER MAXIMIAN

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

Felix, Bishop, Martyr of Spello (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

of it Spoleto, a most known city of Umbria, was assumed in
the Martyrology of Bellinus in the year 1498 at Venice, [that city is not Spoleto,] & in the year 1521
at Paris printed. There followed Maurolycus, Felicius, Galesinius, who
yet in the Notations noted these things: At Spoleto, otherwise in the city
Spellatensian: which city is not far from Spoleto.
In the same manner in the Roman Martyrology he is said to have suffered at Spoleto:
where Baronius instead of "of Spoleto," thinks "of Spalato" the Bishop
should be said. Philippus Ferrarius in the New
Topography of the Roman Martyrology, [but Hispellum] printed in the year 1609
at Venice, fol. 62, Hispellum, he says, Spello, a city
of Umbria, ancient, formerly Episcopal, to Foligno at II
M. paces nearest, to those going to Assisi occurring,
built on a hill, where some vestiges of antiquity, especially
of an Amphitheater, remain: the Bishopric of that
into the Bishopric of Spoleto passed. XVIII
May, Felix Bishop of Hispellum, not of Spoleto,
who in the time of Pope Marcellinus & at the Sinuessan Council
was present. There is in it the name of Felix, but not added
the Episcopal See. The Council itself, such as it is had, is a mere
& pure fiction, [in the elogium of Ferrarius.] as in the Chronology of the Roman
Pontiffs is taught; yet ancient, which is enough
for this place. The same Ferrarius in the Catalog of the Saints of Italy
published in the year 1613, composed this elogium of him: Felix
Bishop of Hispellum, Diocletian & Maximian being Emperors,
while the Episcopal office in that city
he was performing, & many by preaching to Christ
was leading; by command of the Prefect apprehended, that to Christ
he should renounce, with many tortures was afflicted: all which
when with admirable tolerance he had overcome, nor to preach Christ
ceased; at last his neck strongly
being given he was crowned … Then in the Annotation, At Hispellum,
he says, in the greater church, under his image on the wall
painted, the subscription thus has. St. Felix Bishop
of Hispellum. At Spoleto also, in the Cathedral Church,
an ancient image of him with an inscription of this kind,
St. Felix Bishop of Hispellum, is seen.

Curia for the defendants of the holy Inquisition Office of causes Patron, [Felix himself]
published at Venice in the year 1620 a treatise On the place
of the martyrdom of St. Felix Bishop of Spello, & page 23 &
the following ones approves the reading of the Martyrology of Usuard, from other
manuscript & printed copies, namely, that he suffered at the Spellatensian
city: for which he adds, in ancient MSS.

Missals & Antiphonaries of the Church of Hispellum these
words are had, XV Kalends of June, of St. Felix, Bishop of Hispellum
& Martyr. [At Hispellum he is venerated as Patron,] Then this of no slight weight to be
he adds: that the very fellow-citizens of Spello the same most illustrious
Martyr, as their own Bishop &
Protector & before God the best Intercessor,
on the very day XVIII of May with always great & most joyful
celebrity venerated. [there a church,] And the same feast day
of St. Felix, & his most ancient Church,
near & outside the walls of Hispellum, where his sacred
body coruscating with miracles long lay, formerly more magnificently
constructed, as the vestiges everywhere demonstrate;
then by the incursions of raging soldiers overthrown,
soon more briefly & more narrowly restored, also from
the ancient institute of the fatherland & by the prescription of the city,
with a singular frequency of people every year especially they venerate.
And on that day in no wise is it allowed that justice be rendered, as is provided
in the ancient code of the statutes of Hispellum, in the year
of the Lord MCCC restored, book 4 rubric 43. Then page 27,
by the authority of Laurentius Castrucius Bishop of Spoleto, he proves, [a Society of Christian doctrine.]
that at Hispellum in the Collegiate church of St. Laurence was erected
& title of St. Felix Bishop of Hispellum &
Martyr.

[4] [the body to the castle of Janus, a church,] Afterwards page 32 he says: On account of the frequent depredations,
the body of St. Felix to the castle of Janus, not far from Spoleto
distant, was carried; near it first a small
chapel then a temple to him was built upon, in
which still it rests: whence St. Felix of Janus was called.
But adjoining the same temple of St. Felix were constructed
buildings, [a monastery,] which from St. Felix received their name: formerly of the Order
of St. Benedict a monastery, in Commendam by
the Apostolic See delivered, & in the books of the Chamber, as
I saw, taxed. Now indeed augmented & adorned
by the RR. Augustinian Friars by the decree & concession of Pope Nicholas
V it is venerated, as in the Apostolic
letters at Fabriano in the year of the Lord's Incarnation
MCCCCL, IV Kalends of September, of his Pontificate
the fourth year given; [now Augustinian.] through which Berardus Bishop
of Spoleto, Lucas de Ballionibus then Commendatary being removed from the administration
of the same monastery,
that together with the temple to the said Augustinian Friars
ascribed & adjudicated. Which Apostolic letters,
together with the letters of Berardus the Bishop, in the convent of St.
Nicholas of the same Order at Foligno are preserved. There makes mention
of this foundation Thomas de Herrera, part 1 of the Augustinian
Alphabet page 263.

[5] But, says Donnola, the first sepulcher of St. Felix,
under the altar of his church outside the walls of Hispellum
existing, [he is invoked in the illnesses of infants.] although destitute of the sacred body, yet by the grace
of God superabounding in virtue, even through these times
by all the surrounding inhabitants of cities & towns,
in the sicknesses especially of infants,
daily is visited, with no unequal glory of miracles, with which
the tomb of the same St. Felix near Janus, the sacred
body covering, shines forth. These things there. Ludovicus Jacobillus
in the Catalog of the Relics of Umbria page 48 asserts,
that at Hispellum in the church of St. Laurence is preserved some bone
of St. Felix, Bishop & Protector of Hispellum, whose
body rests in his monastery near Janus.
And of him treats Jacobillus on the day XXX of October, judging
the same to have been Bishop both of Martana in the territory of Todi & of Hispellum.
[was he also Bishop of Martana?] But Ferrarius another from this Felix sets that one
in the Catalog of the Saints of Italy & in another general one of the Saints
who are not in the Roman Martyrology. But Donnola
opposes, that Martana is found a city imaginary rather
than real, to all ancient writers
unknown: which could be more accurately examined on the said XXX of October.

[6] But for this Felix moreover others contend: & first
Joannes Tomcus Marnavitius, [he was not at least of Spalato in Dalmatia] vindicates him to the metropolis of Spalato
in Dalmatia, in a booklet at Rome in the year 1643 in the printing-house
of the Reverend Apostolic Chamber printed. But in the year
MDCLXI invited to the Palace of Propaganda Fide, by the Most Reverend
Secretary of the said Congregation we were admonished,
that we should not give faith to the said Marnavitius, by whom
the Romans being deceived, had permitted his books to be edited in the said printing-house.
We about the Holy Dalmatian Martyrs, Domnio
the Bishop & Companions treated XI April, where it is said in the ancient
Life, that the city Salona being overthrown by the Goths the body of St. Domnio
was translated to Spalato, of whose church & various cult
very many things we treated rather fully from the six books of Joannes Lucius on the kingdom
of Dalmatia & Croatia printed at Amsterdam in the year 1668,
without any mention of this St. Felix Bishop of Spalato.
But Lucius asserts book 1 chapter 9 that Spalato was not a city,
but once the palace of Diocletian; &
book 2 chapter 14, after Salona was destroyed by the Slavs, to the citizens
withdrawing themselves to Spalato that Joannes of Ravenna
was given as the first Archbishop, namely very many
centuries after the times of Diocletian having elapsed, since Laurentius
the Archbishop flourished in the year MLXXVI, who is reckoned the second,
although perhaps some names of those interposed are not found.

[7] The other who brings suit against the people of Hispellum, is Joannes Tamayus
Salazar in the Spanish Martyrology, on this XVIII
of June, who proves that at Spali among the Vascones St. Felix Bishop
of Accis offered his soul in tortures to Christ manfully,
[nor was the Bishop of Accis in Spain slain at Spali.] from the Adversaria of Luitprand, namely recently
excogitated. There presided over the Eliberitan Council in the Hispanic Era
CCCLXII, in Garcia Loaisa, but to be corrected to the Era
CCCXLII or the year of Christ CCCIV, Felix Bishop of Accis,
otherwise, says Loaisa, of Auxa or of Aquitaine,
but to be read of Accis. But that this one died
Usuard & other Martyrologists bring forward, is not enough to be had
from those Adversaria, by erudite men everywhere reproved:
nor does there appear any verisimilar occasion of a martyrdom, at such
a time in Spain tolerated. We have published on the day 11 of May
St. Felix the Deacon, Martyr at Seville in Spain.
Why might there not also lie hidden of the same name several other Bishops
& Martyrs, as well in Spain as in Dalmatia?
Yet not continuously ought those, whose veneration to another
place more certain is adjudicated, to be transferred into Spain or Dalmatia.
All these things perhaps are more clearly elucidated in the Apology
of the mentioned Donnola, which we have not seen, although it is said
to have been published at Foligno in the year 1643.

[8] Jacobus Gualla in the Sanctuary of Pavia in the year 1587
printed book 5 chapter 11, Otto the Teuton, says, Emperor
the second, [another St. Felix is venerated at Pavia.] to our Savior built a very fair
oratory, in this our time Saint Felix
called. Which shrine the most holy Virgins
of the Order of Saint Benedict with wonderful religion venerate, by
the Emperor himself with many other most ample privileges
endowed. But in it these venerable bodies of Saints
recline: of whom first is named Felix, whose
some Life is brought forward chapter 14, in which is said his most holy
body in the middle chest of the confession of the temple,
called by his name, to lie in presence. There is cited by
Donnola page 46 a codex of the legends of some
Saints of Pavia in the year 1523 by the types of Bernardinus de
Garaldis edited: whose end ends with these words. [& the Acts there printed seem to be of St. Felix of Hispellum.]
Here ends the Compendium or Legendary of various
Saints, especially of those, whose bodies
in the church of the monastery of St. Felix rest … &
there is the Legend of St. Felix fol. 37 & the following one into Lessons
distributed: which Donnola teaches should be taken of St. Felix of Spello or Hispellum,
whose also a compendium
in the aforesaid Gualla is had. The same Life &
more fully drawn out separately in the year 1603 was printed at Perugia, &
in Italian by Joannes Baptista Possevinus in the book on the Saints of Todi
there published in the year 1597, referred to XXX
of October, on which is venerated St. Felix of Martana; & in these
Martana is read, where in the Pavia one the city Spello is had.
These things we subjoin that in a doubtful matter the reader may judge, what
is to be thought. The Angelic addresses in prison & the song
at death, so frequent in the martyrdoms of inferior note,
written from tradition rather than from certain knowledge, here are not
lacking; which itself shows that these Acts were composed very
late, in imitation of others similar.

THE ACTS OF THE MARTYRDOM

According to the Pavia MS. printed in the year MDXXIII.

Felix, Bishop, Martyr of Spello (St.)

BHL Number: 2886

FROM A MS.

[1] In the times of Diocletian & Maximian the Emperors,
while the harsh anger of persecution of the ancient
enemy by instigation arose against the Christians,
so that, wherever were found the cultivators of the holy religion,
with various punishments, & tortures they were punished;
there was directed therefore a most impious & more savage than every ferocity,
Tarquinius by name, by Maximian
the Emperor, who all the Christians to sacrifice
should compel: but those contemning his order with penal
injuries he should wound. When this promulgation
was received, Tarquinius came into the city,
which is called Spello: [the Bishop of Spello,] where there was a most prudent
& most eloquent, conspicuous in sanctity Felix the Bishop,
by days, & by nights serving Christ the Lord.
The fame of whose sanctity hearing Tarquinius,
inquired of the inhabitants of that place, who was this
man, of whose so great goodness the rumor ran, or of what
fortune he was, or of what kindred. To whom answering,
they said: That man without delay is the servant
of Christ, whose tongue by days & by nights ceases not
to praise God, & the unity of the Trinity with sweet eloquence
to the people to preach. This heard Tarquinius, [apprehended,] with too great
fury filled, ordered him to be brought to his sight. Whom
summoned questioning he said: Tell me, Felix, who to you
gave this power, that publicly you should seduce the people
from the worship of our gods, that into a depraved
servitude they fall back, & worship a God, whom neither the Senate constituted
nor the Emperors adore? St. Felix answered:
A greater Emperor there is not, than He who made heaven
& earth & every living soul: whom serve
the Angels, & all the Powers of the heavens.

[2] Tarquinius said: And what kind of God do you adore?
Saint Felix answered; I both with my lips &
with my heart adore Christ, the Son of the living God, of Mary
the Virgin through the Holy Spirit born; who that
us from the worships of idols He might rescue, [he professes the faith of Christ,] the flesh of our
mortality deigned to receive. Tarquinius said:
What vain superstition have you spoken? The man,
whom you call God, the Jews crucified Him: &
by what reason you number Him among the Gods, we know not.
But come, & hear my counsel: Sacrifice
to the great gods, to whom the Emperors bend their neck,
& you will be great, & powerful in this
city. St. Felix answered: Displeasing is your counsel
to everyone having the knowledge of God: for not just
is it, that I should forsake God the founder of all the ages,
& should sacrifice to deaf, blind,
& mute idols, of wood, & stones, & various metals
constructed: for the servant of Christ I am: all
your tortures in His power, as the refuse of a house,
I despise.

[3] Then angry Tarquinius, ordered him with great
weights of iron laden to the chains of the prison to be consigned. [in prison]

But at the same hour a voice from heaven was sent forth, to St.
Felix the Bishop saying: Be of strong spirit, Athlete,
for I am with you: do not fear; if you persevere
unto the end, I will give you the crown of immortality, [from heaven he is comforted.]
& glory among my Saints. But Saint
Felix the Bishop with tears cried to the Lord
saying; Thanks I give you, Lord Jesus
Christ, King of kings & Lord of lords,
who are present to those worthily believing in you, & to me a sinner
in your holy confession. To you are known all things,
who are the searcher of hearts & reins, since with all my
bowels I love you; & for your holy name
terrible I desire to die. Be my helper;
lest the fear of frailty shake the mind of one confessing you,
who of adversities alone are the triumpher &
ruler.

[4] On the next day Tarquinius ordered St. Felix the Bishop
to be brought forth, to whom also he said: I see you good &
prudent, [he derides the Gods,] I do not wish that you be killed. Come, & adore
the great gods, Apollo & Hercules: & you will be
supreme Pontiff of all our gods. St.
Felix answered: How miserable are your gods, &
most miserable all who are their worshipers. Senseless
& impious one, look at the Gods, whom you worship: for eyes
they have & see not, ears they have & hear not,
hands they have & feel not, feet they have
& walk not: by hands & by the art of potters
they are constructed, he who stands, stands always; he who sits, never
to rise has the power; how
do you name them Gods, who to themselves can
furnish no help? You therefore rather be converted,
& believe the omnipotent God to be of all
creatures the maker, & Jesus Christ His son
for the redemption of men to have received flesh
of a Virgin; whom for our sins He delivered to death,
that the whole world God might vivify, impassible
remaining & immortal: Him I adore, Him
I believe, & to confess I desire, that after this life
the glory of eternal life I may be able to attain.

[5] But Tarquinius hearing these things convokes all
the Elders of the city of Spello, & said to them: What
seems to you of this man, who by his discourses
wishes to destroy the power of our gods? But they
together answering, said: [again into prison] He is worthy to be bound
& to die, because he is a magician. But it is better, that
this one alone die; than that the gods of our lords
perish. Then Tarquinius ordered him again with iron
bound into the prison to be shut, until he should think
in what manner he might afflict him with torments. Hearing
the Christians, that the holy man Tarquinius
wished to kill; ran to the prison, & tearfully
cried out, saying: Holy Father, we pray
you, that you entreat our Lord, lest you be separated
from us: [by an Angel he is strengthened:] since the most impious Tarquinius hastens to kill
you. At the same hour there stood by him an Angel
of the Lord in a splendid garment, comforting him, & said:
Felix, do not fear, the torments prepared for you for
the name of Christ, because I am sent, that from all
adversities I may guard you. Then St. Felix fell to
the ground, & said: Thanks I give you, Lord Jesus
Christ, because you have deigned to comfort me a sinful
servant of yours through your Angel. I confess
to you with my whole heart, that you are the strongest God
Protector of those believing in you.

[6] On the same day Tarquinius ordered prepared an iron
gridiron, & fire to be put underneath, [on the burning gridiron unharmed,] & there St. Felix
the Bishop by the soldiers to be stretched he ordered, & to be roasted. Whom
when the ministers had placed, St. Felix exclaimed with a voice
great, & said; Have mercy on me, Lord, as you had mercy
on your servants in the furnace of burning fire. And forthwith
a great coruscation was made, so that many of the Pagans
struck with lightning died: & the gridiron being extinguished,
the man of the Lord Felix the Bishop by an Angel
of God unharmed was freed. Which seeing Tarquinius,
shaken with fear, said to his ministers, Now
certainly I have known this, as you said, that he is a magician:
by the power of my gods a capital sentence to him
today I will give. Then there was gathered all the people
in the forum of the city, & before all the most impious
Tarquinius ordered the holy man to be beheaded.

[7] But while the most blessed Felix was led to the palm,
a multitude of Christians weeping followed
him. But he exhorted them with gentle exhortations,
& addressed them on the way saying: Let not you,
dearest sons, the adversity of this slippery life perturb,
that you depart from the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which by my exhortations you believe; but stand manfully
& be strengthened, that to that glory, to which
I with all alacrity hasten, you may be able to come. These things
hearing they came to the place, where was beheaded the most blessed
Felix by an executioner, by name, [he is beheaded.] Sevibo, in the middle
of the forum. Where two choirs of Angels as with one mouth
sang psalms, saying: Come, most beloved son, good
steward, receive the crown, which our Lord
Jesus Christ promised you, because your way is made right, &
prepared is the habitation of your seat. Which heard the Pagans
terrified fled; but the Christians secretly,
with great praises & inenarrable joy, took away
the holy body, & buried it with the greatest
honor, to the praise of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives & reigns forever and ever.
Amen.
