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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world


Name

Felix and Adauctus, martyrs of Rome, buried on the via Ostiensis

Saint ID

S00421

Number in BH

BHL 2878-2880

Reported Death Not Before

285

Reported Death Not After

313

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Martyrs
Related Evidence Records
IDTitle
E00317Eusebius of Caesarea, in his Ecclesiastical History (8.6-12), reports that, during the persecutions of Diocletian, numerous Christians died as martyrs in Melitene, Syria, Palestine, Phoenice, Egypt, Africa, Arabia, Cappadocia, Mesopotamia and Pontus. He names the martyrs *Philoromos (martyr of Alexandria, S00126), *Phileas (bishop of Thmuis, martyr of Alexandria, S00125), and *Adauκtos (martyr of Rome, S00421), and refers to *Prosdoke, Bernike and Domnina (mother and daughters, martyrs of Antioch, S01008). Written in Greek in Palestine, 311/325.
E00687The Notitia ecclesiarum urbis Romae, a guide to saints' graves around Rome, lists those on the via Ostiensis, south-west of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 625/649.
E01357The second edition of the Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome between the 530s and 546, in its account of *John I (bishop of Rome, ob. 526, S00308), lists his renovation works in the cemeteries of *Nereus and Achilles (eunuchs and martyrs of Rome, S00403), of *Felix and Adauctus (martyrs of Rome, S00421), and of Priscilla, all in the suburbs of Rome; his adornment of the confessio of *Paul (the Apostle, S00008); as well as offerings made by the emperor Justin I to the churches in Rome of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), of *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), and of *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S00037).
E02496The Latin Martyrdom of *Felix and Adauctus (martyrs of Rome, S00421) narrates the destruction of pagan statues by the priest Felix and the trial and tortures he endured; then, joined by an unknown Christian man, presumably Adauctus, both are martyred and buried at the second milestone from the city on the via Ostiensis; after the persecutions a church is built there. Written presumably in Rome, at an uncertain date, by the 9th c. at the latest.
E04934The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 29 August.
E04935The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 30 August.
E05169The Latin Calendar of Sinai records the feasts of saints through the year, followed by a list of the apostles to various regions of Christianity. Written possibly in North Africa, possibly in the 7th/8th c.; preserved in a manuscript, probably of the 9th c., in St Catherine's monastery, Sinai. Basic Entry.
E06989The De Locis Sanctis, a guide to the graves of the martyrs around Rome, lists those on the via Ostiensis, south-west of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 642/683.
E07152Latin poem by Pope Damasus, for an inscription commemorating the enhancement of the tomb of *Felix and Adauctus (martyrs of Rome, S00421) in the catacomb of Commodilla, on the via Ostiensis outside Rome. Written in Rome, 366/384.
E07894The Itinerarium Malmesburiense, a guide to saints' graves around and within Rome, lists those outside the porta Ostiensis (now called saint Paul's gate) on the via Ostiensis, south-west of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 642/683.