Felix, Fortunatus, and Achilleus

Saints Felix, Fortunatus, and Achilleus
Ruins of the abbey church of Charlieu, which is dedicated to the three co-martyrs.
Martyrs
Died	212 AD Valence, Gaul
Cause of death	Beheading
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church
Canonized	Pre-congregation
Feast	23 April
Patronage	Valence, Drôme, France

Felix, Fortunatus, and Achilleus were 3rd-century Christian saints who suffered martyrdom during the reign of Caracalla. Felix, a priest, Fortunatus and Achilleus, both deacons, were sent by Irenaeus, to Valence, to convert the locals. It is said that they died c. 212.

Legends

Felix, Fortunatus and Achilleus were sent to Valence, by Saint Irenaeus of Lyon. From a humble lodging wherein they lived a life of much penance they evangelised the town.^[1]

They also performed many miracles in the area of Valence, and through their preaching many people were converted. This led to their arrest. They were freed from prison, by angels, who told them to destroy all the idols of the temples in Valence. So Felix, Fortunatus, and Achilleus, destroyed images of Mercury, Saturn, and a particularly valuable amber statue of Jupiter. For their actions the three were captured again, had their legs broken, followed by torture on wheels. Having survived all of these torments they were beheaded.

Although the individuals themselves may not be entirely legendary, no historical incidents of their lives have been preserved.^[2]