The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Felix I of Rome
d. c. 274 · Bishop of Rome · Rome
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Felix I of Rome was
Bishop of Rome (269–274) during the reigns of Claudius Gothicus and Aurelian, in the “little peace” before Diocletian. His name appears in the record of the Paul of Samosata affair: a letter attributed to him on the true doctrine of Christ was cited in later Christological debate. He governed a church at rest, consolidating after the persecutions; distinguished by numeral from the many other Felixes of the age. Buried on the Aurelian Way.
Also listed in the bishops of Rome.
Common questions
When did Felix I die?
Felix I of Rome is dated d. c. 274 in the archive, which places Felix I in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
Which early sources mention Felix I?
Felix I of Rome is named in 2 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Eusebius of Caesarea and The chronographer of 354. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Felix I from?
The archive associates Felix I of Rome with Rome.
Who were Felix I’s contemporaries?
The archive links Felix I of Rome to 3 other figures, including Dionysius of Rome, Eutychian of Rome and Paul of Samosata. 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.
Ecclesiastical History VII.30, 32
c. AD 325When Dionysius had died after holding the episcopate nine years, Felix succeeded him… he held the office for five years.Eusebius of Caesarea · 32 · source text
Liberian Catalogue (Chronography of 354)
c. AD 354Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- AD 260 · Gallienus’ edict of toleration, AD 260
- AD 268 · Antioch deposes Paul of Samosata, AD 268
- AD 272 · Aurelian awards the Antioch church, AD 272
Place
Places served
The one place the sources put Felix I.
- 1Rome