The Ante-Nicene Church · AD 180–313
Felix of Thibiuca
d. AD 303 (martyr) · Bishop · Martyr of the Scriptures · Thibiuca, Africa Proconsularis
The Ante-Nicene Church
Who Felix of Thibiuca was
An African bishop executed at the very opening of Diocletian's persecution for flatly refusing to surrender the church's books to be burned — the traditio on which the whole Donatist schism would later turn. His Acta are among the earliest documents of the 'affair of the Scriptures.'
The Acta Felicis alone.
Also listed in martyrs, bishops beyond the great sees and the great persecution.
Common questions
When did Felix die?
Felix of Thibiuca is dated d. AD 303 (martyr) in the archive, which places Felix in the Ante-Nicene Church (AD 180–313).
Which early sources mention Felix?
Felix of Thibiuca is named in 1 primary-source passage catalogued here, drawn from Acta Felicis. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Felix from?
The archive associates Felix of Thibiuca with Thibiuca, Africa Proconsularis. 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 Thibiuca to 1 other figure, including Emperor Diocletian. 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.
Acta Felicis (near-contemporary acta, AD 303; original Latin, working translation)
c. AD 303[Among the earliest documents of the persecution of the Scriptures.] The magistrate said: 'Give up whatever books and parchments thou hast.' Felix the bishop answered: 'I have them, but I will not give them up. It is better that I be burned with fire than the divine Scriptures; for it is good to obey God rather than men.'Acta Felicis · source text
Connected 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
- 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
Place
Places served
The 2 places the sources put Felix, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route.