Felix and Adauctus | |
|---|---|
 The Glorification of St Felix and St Adauctus. Carlo Innocenzo Carlone. | |
| Martyrs | |
| Died | 303 Rome |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Major shrine | St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna |
| Feast | 30 August |
| Attributes | Adauctus is sometimes portrayed as a Roman legionary or soldier |
Felix and Adauctus (d. 303) were according to tradition, Christian martyrs who were said to have suffered during the Great Persecution during the reign of the Roman emperor Diocletian.
The Acts, first published in Ado's Martyrology, relate as follows: Felix, a Roman priest, and brother of another priest, also named Felix, being ordered to offer sacrifice to the gods, was brought by the prefect Dracus to the temples of Serapis, Mercury, and Diana. But at the prayer of the saint the idols fell shattered to the ground. He was then led to execution. On the way an unknown person joined him, professed himself a Christian, and also received the crown of martyrdom. The Christians gave him the name Adauctus (the Latin word for "added"). They were both beheaded.
These Acts are considered a legendary embellishment of a misunderstood inscription by Pope Damasus. A Dracus cannot be found among the prefects of Rome; the other Felix of the legend is St. Felix of Nola; and Felix of Monte Pincio is the same Felix honoured on the Garden Hill. The brother is imaginary (Anal. Boll., XVI, 19-29).