The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Felicissimus the Deacon
d. 6 August AD 258 (martyr) · Deacon of Rome · Martyr · Rome
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Felicissimus the Deacon was
One of the two deacons taken and killed with Pope Xystus II in the cemetery of Praetextatus on 6 August 258, under Valerian’s edict against the clergy. Damasus set an epigram over the grave. He must be kept apart from Felicissimus the Carthaginian schismatic, the ally of Novatus whom Cyprian excommunicated — a different man in a different city on the opposite side of a controversy, and already in the archive.
Also listed in martyrs.
Common questions
When did Felicissimus die?
Felicissimus the Deacon is dated d. 6 August AD 258 (martyr) in the archive, which places Felicissimus in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Felicissimus?
Felicissimus the Deacon is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from The chronographer of 354 and Damasus of Rome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Felicissimus from?
The archive associates Felicissimus the Deacon with Rome.
Who were Felicissimus’ contemporaries?
The archive links Felicissimus the Deacon to 3 other figures, including Agapitus the Deacon, Damasus I of Rome and Felicissimus of Carthage. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (2)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
The Chronograph of 354, Depositio Martyrum — 6 August, Xystus in Callixti et Agapiti et Felicissimi in Praetextati
c. AD 258[The oldest Roman martyr calendar records the deposition of Xystus and of Agapitus and Felicissimus on the same day.]The chronographer of 354 · Depositio Martyrum, VIII Idus Aug. · source text
The Damasan epigram Ferrua 25, cemetery of Praetextatus, cut by Furius Dionysius Filocalus at the martyr’s tomb
c. AD 375[Damasus names Felicissimus and Agapitus, the deacons of Xystus, in the epigram over their tomb.]Damasus of Rome · Damasan epigram, Ferrua 25, cemetery of Praetextatus · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- AD 190 · The Quartodeciman controversy, AD 190
- AD 202 · Perpetua and Felicity martyred, AD 202
- AD 235 · Maximinus Thrax targets the clergy, AD 235
- AD 250 · The Decian persecution, AD 250
- AD 251 · The Novatianist schism, AD 251
- AD 257 · The Valerian persecution, AD 257
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Felicissimus.
- 1Rome