Felix, Bishop of the Church at Thibaris, in the Year 303

When Constantinus Chlorus and Galerius Maximianus were Caesars for the fourth time, the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian issued an edict to the whole world. It was sent to the authorities of all the Roman colonies or free cities, and read to this effect: that they should demand the divine books and laws of the Christians from their bishops and teachers. A copy of this edict, among others, was posted in the city of Thibaris, in Africa, on the fifth day of the month of June.

Now when the fiscal Procurator of that place demanded of Felix the divine and Christian books, in order to burn them, Felix answered: "It would be better that I should be burned than the divine Scriptures, because we must obey God rather than men."

The Procurator said: "Nevertheless, the command of the Emperors must take precedence over your word."

Felix replied: "God's command comes before the commands of men."

The Procurator said: "Consider well what you are doing."

NOTE. Here we might give the whole of the court proceedings, as they are believed to have been recorded by the clerk of the criminal court; but in order not to be too long, we shall present to the kind reader, word for word, only the last and principal part of those proceedings.

When they had arrived there, the Proconsul, or General, commanded them to unbind Felix, and to ask him, saying: "O Felix, why will you not hand over the books of the Lord your God? Or perhaps you do not have any?"

Felix answered: "Indeed, I have them, but I do not wish to give them to you."

The Proconsul said: "Put Felix to death with the sword."

When Felix had received the sentence of death, he said with a loud voice: "I thank You, O Lord, that You have redeemed me!" He was immediately led to the place where he was to die; and at that time the moon was changed as into blood. This happened on the 30th of August.

When he had arrived at the place of execution, Felix lifted up his eyes toward heaven, and said with a loud voice: "O Lord God, I thank You that I have lived to be fifty-six years old. I have kept myself pure; I have kept the Gospels, or evangelical books; and I have preached the faith and truth in their purity. O Lord God of heaven and earth, Jesus Christ! I bow my neck to the sword, as an offering to You, who abide in eternity, with whom there is and abides glory and majesty forever and ever, Amen." [n256-1]

Thus far the account of the martyrdom of Felix has been translated word for word from the Acta Proconsularia, that is, the records of the proceedings which were approved by the heathen judges and proconsuls. Compare Abr. Mell., 1st book, folio 117, columns 1 and 2, with Act. Proconsul. extant sur volume 5, October 24.