The brothers were the sons of a noble nobleman who owned huge estates in the Roman Empire of the third century. From their youth they heard the word of Saint Onesimus, who brought the light of the Gospel to their lands. The brothers believed in Christ and converted their cousin Erasmus. But then the persecution of Christians began and on the base denunciation of Cyprian (Cyrinus), Philadelphus, Alphia, Onesimus, Erasmus and 14 more Christians were arrested and taken to Rome for the amusement of the crowd in the Colosseum.
Onesimus, Erasmus and 14 Christians died there, but the brothers were sent further to Sicily. In 251, under the emperor Decius, they were brutally murdered. Alfia had his tongue pulled out and no help was given until he bled to death. Philadelphus was burned and Cyprian was boiled. Local Christians secretly buried the bodies. The brothers’ graves were not known until 1517, when their relics were discovered in time for excavation. Since then, they are considered the patrons of Leontine, the city where they were martyred.
Memorial Day
23rd May
The Holy Land Charitable Foundation
Lives of Saints
