FELIX I.

felix i., pope from january 269 until his death in january 274. he has been claimed as a martyr, and as such his name is given in the roman calendar and elsewhere, but his title to this honour is by no means proved, and he has been probably confused with another bishop of the same name. he appears in connexion with the dispute in the church of antioch between paul of samosata, who had been deprived of his bishopric by a council of bishops for heresy, and his successor domnus. paul refused to give way, and in 272 the emperor aurelian was asked to decide between the rivals. he ordered the church building to be given to the bishop who was "recognized by the bishops of italy and of the city of rome" (felix). see eusebius, _hist. ecc._ vii. 30.