FE'LICIS'SIMUS. The leader of a schism in the Church at Carthage about the middle of the third century. Bishop Cyprian having with drawn at the outbreak of the Decian persecution, the Church was governed during his absence by the presbyters, among whom was one Novatus, who made Felicissimus his deacon. The records seem to show that Novatus ordained him, regard less of the rule that ordination must he only at the hands of bishops. Felieissimus and his sym pathizers objected to the episcopal hoard of ad ministration, which Cyprian had appointed to visit the Carthaginian Church in his absence; they were displeased with Cyprian himself on ac count of his retirement from the scene of action; and they were liberal in dealing with the lapsed (weak brethren, who had abjured their faith under pressure of persecution), readmitting them to the Church on easy conditions, which was con trary to Cypriall'S express commands. Felieis simus's conduct seemed to warrant his deposi tion. which Cyprian pronounced as early as A.D. 250. After his return from exile Cyprian
convened an important synod at Carthage (251), which exeominunieated the offendhnt deacon. Felieissimus, however, had a considerable follow ing. The schismatics completed Their organiza by the ehoire of Fort unatus as rival Bishop of Carthage, and Felicissimus visited Rome in the hope of winning sympathy from that impor tant see. llis mission was a failure, and Cyp rian's vigorous measures of discipline in Car thage, together with the practical agreement as to the treatment of the lapsed, soon reached by Western Christendom, left the schismatics little hope of success. Felicissimus disappears from view, and his movement soon faded out of sight. Some writers find in this schism an effort after presbyterial Church government, as against the episcopal system with which Cyprian's name is so prominently identified. Consult Benson, Cyprian, His Life, His Times, His Work (New York, 1897).