St FELIX-OF-NOLA

FELIX-OF-NOLA: Gaol-breaking cleric from Italy.

He was imprisoned during the persecutions of Emperor Decius while his boss, Bishop Maximus, fled. But an angel of the Lord helped him bust out of prison to take care of the Bish.

With soldiers stalking the streets, they hid in a derelict building and a Holy Spider span cobwebs galore to make the place look suitably deserted.

When Decius died, the heat was off and FELIX-OF-NOLA was eventually offered the post of Bishop. Being a modest sort, he declined in favor of someone with a week's more experience.

We feel this was just an excuse so he could retire to his farm and live in poverty for the rest of his remaining years. As he gave most of his crops and earnings to the poor, this was poverty with a capital 'p'.

Many years later, PAULINUS-OF-NOLA, intrigued by the cobweb story, drew much inspiration from his life, aided by the tales of miraculous miracles surrounding his tomb.