Felician
Felician of Foligno was a Christian bishop and martyr, considered the patron saint of Foligno. He is remembered for his extensive evangelization in central Italy and his steadfast refusal to sacrifice to Roman gods, which led to his martyrdom.
- Century
- 3rd century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›He was born around 160 in Forum Flaminii into a Christian family.
- ›He was a spiritual student of Pope Eleuterus and evangelized in several cities in central Italy.
- ›He was consecrated bishop of Foligno by Pope Victor I around 204.
- ›He ordained Valentine of Terni as a priest.
- ›He was arrested at age 94 for refusing to sacrifice to Roman gods during the persecutions of Decius.
- ›He died outside Foligno while being conveyed to Rome for his execution.
San Feliciano di Foligno
Foligno
About Felician
Felician of Foligno
Felician of Foligno (c. 160 – c. 250), also known as San Feliciano di Foligno in Italian, is venerated as the patron saint of Foligno, a city in Italy. His life and ministry are situated in the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries CE, a period of significant growth and persecution for early Christianity.
Life and Ministry
According to Christian tradition, Felician was born around 160 in Forum Flaminii, a location on the ancient Via Flaminia, into a Christian family. He was a spiritual student of Pope Eleuterus. Felician's missionary zeal led him to evangelize across a wide region, ministering in cities such as Foligno, Spello, Bevagna, Assisi, Perugia, Norcia, Plestia, Trevi, and Spoleto.
Around 204, he was consecrated as the bishop of Foligno by Pope Victor I. He is noted as the first bishop to receive the pallium as a symbol of his episcopal office. During his time as bishop, he ordained Valentine of Terni as a priest. His tenure as bishop spanned over 50 years, making him one of the early Christian bishops in northern Italy.
Martyrdom and Veneration
Felician's steadfast faith led to his arrest at the age of 94 during the persecutions of Emperor Decius. He refused to sacrifice to the Roman gods, a defiance that resulted in his imprisonment. While he was imprisoned, one of his disciples, Messalina of Foligno, visited him. He endured torture and scourging, and ultimately died outside of Foligno as he was being transported to Rome for his execution.
A church was subsequently built over his burial site in Foligno. The veneration of Felician extended beyond his local diocese. His relics were transferred to Metz in 970 and some were also translated to Minden, Germany, in 965. This latter event led to an erroneous belief that he was a bishop of Minden, a confusion that entered the Roman Martyrology. Some of his relics were eventually returned to Foligno between 1673 and 1674. The Foligno Cathedral houses a significant silver and bronze statue of the saint, created by the sculptor Giovanni Battista Maini.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Felician of Foligno?
Felician of Foligno, also known as San Feliciano di Foligno, was an early Christian bishop and is the patron saint of Foligno. He lived from approximately 160 to 250 AD.
What is Felician of Foligno remembered for?
He is chiefly remembered for his evangelization efforts in central Italy and for his martyrdom. He refused to sacrifice to Roman gods during the persecutions of Decius, leading to his arrest and death.
When was Felician of Foligno bishop?
According to Christian tradition, Felician was consecrated bishop of Foligno by Pope Victor I around 204 AD. His episcopate lasted for more than 50 years.
Where are the relics of Felician of Foligno located?
His relics were transferred to Metz in 970 AD, and some were also translated to Minden in Germany. Some of his relics were returned to Foligno in the late 17th century.
Was Felician of Foligno a martyr?
Yes, Felician of Foligno is considered a martyr. He was arrested at the age of 94 for his faith and died while being conveyed to Rome for execution after being tortured and scourged.
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