St Felix I

Who he was

Felix succeeded St Dionysius early in 269, just as news came from the Synod of Antioch that it had deposed Bishop Paul of Samosata for false teaching on the Trinity. A letter of his on the faith in Christ was later altered by followers of Apollinaris and quoted at the Council of Ephesus.

What he is remembered for

Later tradition called him a martyr and said he ordered Mass to be offered over the tombs of martyrs, but both probably come from confusion with others. The fourth-century Roman calendar lists him among the bishops, not the martyrs, and records his burial in the Catacomb of St Callistus on 30 December.

He is honoured by the Church as Saint. Read his page in the dictionary of saints.

Sources

• Catholic Encyclopedia (1907-14): Pope St. Felix I
• The Holy See: list of the Supreme Pontiffs