St. Felix of Burgundy the Bishop of Dunwich and Enlightener of East Anglia

Commemorated on March 8/21

Saint Felix, the Apostle of East Anglia, was born in the Burgundy region of what is now France. He was a bishop who was sent to England by Saint Honorius of Canterbury (September 30) to evangelize East Anglia.

Saint Felix established his See in Dunwich on the Suffolk coast in 631, and labored there successfully for seventeen years. He founded a school for boys with the help of King Siegbert, and brought in teachers from Canterbury.

Saint Felix died in 648 and was buried at Dunwich, but his relics were transferred to Ramsey abbey in Huntingdonshire in 971.

Saint Felix has given his name to Felixstowe in Suffolk, and to Felixkirk in Yorkshire. He is mentioned by Saint Bede (HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH CHURCH AND PEOPLE, Book 3, ch. 18 and 20).

Troparion — Tone 8

Felix of Burgundy, hierarch and teacher, preaching the Word of life, / You did gather a rich harvest of believers; / Together with Furzey of Ireland, pilgrim for the love of the Lord, / Outstanding in virtue, renowned in word and deed; / Enlighteners of East Anglia, we rightly praise you, holy and God-bearing fathers.

Kontakion — Tone 2

Having come to the land of Sigerberht, the righteous king, / You preached the kingdom of Christ our God, / And as a first-fruit the king himself received the tonsure, / Seeking an everlasting kingdom; / And mindful of his monastic vow, / He lay down his life, unarmed in the midst of battle; / Wherefore, O Felix and Furzey, we venerate your memory crying out: / Glory to Christ our King the Redeemer of the World.

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