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Elder son of Hermias, a Syrian soldier who had retired to Nola, Italy.
After his father's death, Felix sold off most of his property and
possessions, gave the proceeds to the poor, and pursued a clerical
vocation. Ordained by, and worked with Saint Maximus of Nola.
When Maximus fled to the mountains to escape the persecution of Decius,
Felix was arrested and beaten for his faith instead. Legend says he was
freed by an angel so he could help his sick bishop. Felix hid Maximus from
soldiers in a vacant building. When the two were safely inside, a spider
quickly spun a web over the door, fooling the imperial forces into
thinking it was long abandoned, and they left without finding the
Christians. The two managed to hide from authorities until the persecution
ended with the death of Decius in 251.
After Maximus' death, Felix was chosen as bishopric of Nola, but declined,
favoring Quintus, a "senior" priest who had seven days more experience
than Felix. Farmed his remaining land, and gave most of the proceeds to
people even poorer than himself. Much of the little information we have
about Felix came from the letters and poetry of Saint Paulinus of Nola,
who served at a porter at the door of a church dedicated to Saint Felix,
and who gathered information about him from churchmen and pilgrims.
Though Felix died of natural causes, he is normally listed as a martyr
because of the torture, imprisonment, and privations he experienced in the
persecutions.
Born: 3rd century at Nola, near Naples, Italy
Died: c.255 of natural causes; buried at Nola; for centuries his
tomb was the site of pilgrimages
Name Meaning: happy ( = Felix)
Patronage: against eye disease, against eye trouble, against false
witness, against lies, against perjury, domestic animals, eyes
Representation: cobweb; deacon in prison; spider web; young priest
carrying an old man (Maximus) on his shoulders; young priest chained in
prison with a pitcher and potsherds near him; young priest with a bunch of
grapes (symbolizes his care of the aged Maximus); young priest with a
spider; young priest with an angel removing his chains
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf25.htm |
