Alphius of Bastia

Holy Martyr Alphius of Bastia is commemorated together with the martyrs Philadelphus, Cyprian, Onesimus, Erasmus and fourteen others, who suffered in the third century. They came from Italy. Alphius, Philadelphus and Cyprian were sons of Vitellius, the governor of Italy. They were enlightened by faith in Christ and baptised by Saint Onesimus. Then the emperor ordered Christians to be sought out and tortured. The brothers were sent to Rome together with Onesimus, Erasmus and fourteen other Christians. In Rome Saint Onesimus's chest was crushed with a heavy stone and he died, while Erasmus and the fourteen were beheaded.

The brothers Alphius, Philadelphus and Cyprian were sent from Rome to Sicily and suffered at Mesopolis in Leontini, in the year 251, in the time of Emperor Decius. Alphius's tongue was cut out and he bled to death, Philadelphus was burned on an iron grate, and Cyprian was burned in a frying pan. In 1517 their relics were found at Leontini. They are commemorated on 23 May.