Sisinius, Martorius and Alexander

Biography

Although Christianity was about to become a state religion, Christians were still persecuted in some parts of the Empire. Some officials closed their eyes, and even became accomplices. This is how Sisinius, Martorius and Alexander died, missionaries that Vigilius, bishop of Trento, had sent to spread the Gospel in that diocese. Sisinius was a deacon originally from Cappadocia, Martorius and his brother Alexander had received only minor orders: reader and porter. Upon arrival, the local notables subjected them to a thousand humiliations, under the indifferent gaze of the authorities. The anger of these pagans increased when they saw them building a church and making conversions. And it was unleashed on the day when Sisinius went to remove with his hands a neophyte whom they wanted to sacrifice to the gods. They attacked the church to loot it and broke Sisinius's skull with the horn that was used to call to prayer. They tied Martorio to a tree in the garden and pierced his chest and belly with pointed sticks. They paraded his companion Alejandro through the town with a cowbell hanging around his neck and then threw him alive into a bonfire in which the bodies of his companions were already burning.