Felix, Bishop of Aptungi

FELIX, Bishop of Aptungi. - He appears in 311 when he took part in the consecration of Bishop Caecilian of Carthage, which marked the beginning of the Donatist schism. He was therefore targeted by the schismatics, who set themselves fiercely against him in order to invalidate the validity of Caecilian's election. He was in fact condemned in the Donatist Synod of Carthage of 312, in which, with false documents and testimonies, it was asserted that F. had betrayed during the persecution of Diocletian by handing over the Holy Scriptures.

His alleged betrayal was then cited by the Donatists as a pretext for not accepting the decisions of the Roman Council of 313, in which the election of Caecilian was recognized as valid. Constantine the Great then, to cut short every intrigue, ordered the vicar of Africa, Aelius Paulinus, to conduct an inquiry into the truth of the accusations launched against F. The inquiry, begun at Aptungi and concluded at Carthage, and having passed through the hands of various magistrates, was completely favorable to F.; the proconsul Aelianus on 15 February 314 proclaimed the absolute innocence of the accused and communicated the result to the Emperor. When F. died is not known.