The Nicene Age · AD 313–400
Felix of Aptunga
fl. AD 303–315 (death unrecorded) · Bishop of Aptunga · Consecrator of Caecilian · Aptunga, Africa Proconsularis → Carthage
The Nicene Age
Who Felix of Aptunga was
The bishop whose alleged betrayal of the Scriptures was the original pretext for the whole schism: because Felix had consecrated Caecilian at Carthage, the Numidians held the consecration void. He was tried and cleared in 314, and the Gesta apud Zenophilum opens by measuring the irony — six years after Felix was vindicated, the same charge was proved against the man who consecrated the rival. Distinct from Felix of Thibiuca, Felix of Acci and Felix I of Rome.
Named once, in the Gesta apud Zenophilum — the Cirta records of 19 May 303 and 13 December 320; no other ancient source names him.
Also listed in bishops beyond the great sees.
Common questions
When was Felix active?
Felix of Aptunga is dated fl. AD 303–315 (death unrecorded) in the archive, which places Felix in the Nicene Age (AD 313–400).
Which early sources mention Felix?
Felix of Aptunga is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Gesta apud Zenophilum. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Felix from?
The archive associates Felix of Aptunga with Aptunga, Africa Proconsularis, Carthage. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Who were Felix’s contemporaries?
The archive links Felix of Aptunga to 4 other figures, including Caecilian of Carthage, Silvanus of Cirta, Secundus of Tigisis and Majorinus of Carthage. Each connection is drawn from a source that places them together, not from inference.
Primary-source mentions (1)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
The trial before Domitius Zenophilus, 13 December 320
c. AD 320It is A.D. 320, six years after the vindication of Felix of Aptunga, and another trial is proceeding. Now the accusation is no longer against the consecrator of Caecilian the Catholic Bishop of Carthage, but against Silvanus the Donatist Bishop of Cirta, the consecrator of Majorinus.Gesta apud Zenophilum · Gesta apud Zenophilum, trial of 13 December 320 · source text
Connected in the archive
People
Events in this lifetime
- 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
- AD 301 · Hripsime and her company, AD 301
- AD 303 · The Great Persecution begins, AD 303
- AD 303 · The search of the church at Cirta, AD 303
- AD 306 · The Council of Elvira, AD 306
- AD 311 · Galerius’ edict of Serdica, AD 311
- AD 313 · The Edict of Milan, AD 313
- AD 314 · The Council of Arles, AD 314
Place
Places served
The 3 places the sources put Felix, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.