FELIX, bishop of APTUNGI. — He appears in 311 when he took part in the consecration of the bishop Caecilian of Carthage, which marked the beginning of the Donatist schism. He was therefore targeted by the schismatics who raged against him with the aim of undermining the validity of Caecilian’s election. He was indeed condemned at the Donatist Synod of Carthage in 312, where false documents and testimonies were used to assert that F. had betrayed during Diocletian’s persecution by handing over the Scriptures.
His alleged betrayal was later used by the Donatists as a pretext to reject the decisions of the Roman Council of 313, in which Caecilian’s election was recognized as valid. Constantine the Great, wishing to put an end to all intrigue, then ordered the vicar of Africa, Aelius Paulinus, to investigate the truth of the accusations made against F. The inquiry, begun at Aptungi and concluded at Carthage, passing through the hands of various magistrates, was entirely favourable to F.; the proconsul Aelianus on 15 February 314 proclaimed the absolute innocence of the accused and communicated the result to the Emperor. The date of F.’s death is unknown.