Being a Christian was not easy in the 3rd century Roman Empire, even for a well-respected family. Vitale, Benedicta, and their three sons, Alfio, Filadelfo, and Cirino sought to model their lives after the example Jesus, but they knew that by shunning Roman religious practice, they were also living a precarious existence. In 250 Emperor Decius issued an edict demanding all citizens to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods. Vitale, Benedicta, and their family would have to make a choice. With remarkable courage, each refused. Benedicta was quickly executed. In the commotion, Vitale fled. Alfio, Filadelfo, and Cirino were left. Roman authorities were eager to make an example of the three brothers. A succession of magistrates attempted to convince them to offer sacrifice for the good of the empire. Each time they refused. Finally, they were marched to Lentini, Sicily where they suffered further torture and interrogations. Alfio testified, “... I will never cease to give thanks and praise to God in my heart, for the eternal truth for which I die." Alfio and his brothers were brutally executed on May 10, 253. The people of Lentini never forgot the steely courage of the three brothers and their love for Jesus. Revering them as martyrs, the Lentinese preserved their relics, built churches in their memory, and kept the anniversary of their martyrdom, traditions which continue to this day.