The episode of the miraculous concealment of St. Felix to his persecutors, as it is narrated by Paulinus of Nola in Carm.
XVI, 93-148, presents perhaps the oldest testimony of a delicate and
charming legend, destined to spread throughout the Mediterranean in the
Middle Ages: a pious hero who is saved by a small spider, a humble but
wise instrument of divine Providence. My short communication, through
the comparison between Jewish and Arab sources, intends to draw some
lines for research in order to highlight how this legend has been from
time to time re-contextualized historically and geographically, so as to
be connected to protagonists of the three great monotheistic religions (i.e.
David, Jesus, Muhammad). It is also hoped in this way to offer both
some ideas for further research and insights not only in the field of
Patristics, but also in the study of Jewish and Islamic culture.
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