Felix IV of Rome

Saint Felix IV of Rome was bishop of Rome from 526 to 530. He was elected after the death of John I, who had died in the prison of the Ostrogothic king Theodoric at Ravenna, and he was the king's chosen candidate. He is remembered chiefly for the church built in honour of the holy unmercenary physicians Cosmas and Damian.

According to the sources he came from Samnium in southern Italy and was the son of Castorius. He was elected after nearly two months' vacancy following the death of John I, with Theodoric's support, though Theodoric himself died later that same year. Felix was thus free to shepherd the Church without pressure.

On land given by Queen Amalasuntha in the Roman Forum he built the church of Saints Cosmas and Damian. In his time an imperial edict decreed that cases against clergy be judged by the pope or by a church court. He also consecrated thirty-⁠nine bishops.

At the request of Faustus of Riez, Felix set out the teaching on grace and free will against semi-⁠Pelagianism, and he approved the decisions of the council of Orange in 529. In his illness he tried to name Boniface as his successor, but the senate and a large part of the clergy rejected this arrangement.

He reposed on 22 September 530. The English Orthodox calendar remembers him on 22 September, under the older numbering Felix III, and praises his simplicity and generosity to the poor. The Church of Rome keeps his feast on 30 January. He is a saint of the undivided Church.