Saint Marius was a noble man in the Kingdom of Persia who converted to Christianity along with his wife (Martha) and two sons (Audifax and Abachum).

After becoming followers of Christ, they sold their possessions and land and travelled to Rome. They visited the tombs of the great Apostles during the reign of Emperor Claudius II.

During the reign of persecutions against Christians, the family began visiting them in jail, offering prayers for them and giving them encouragement. The family also gathered the ashes of Christians who had been killed either by execution or in the colosseum and gave them proper burials with respect.

It wasn't long, however, before the entire family was arrested by the Roman authorities and subjected to terrible tortures. Saint Marius, Audifax and Abachum were beheaded, and Saint Martha was drowned in a river a few miles from Rome (the place is now known as Santa Ninfa). Their remains were gathered and buried by a Roman lady named Felicitas. She also had their sacred relics secretly interred on her estate at Buxus (Boccea, Rome).

Their relics were found at Rome in 1590. Their relics are kept principally at Rome; part in the church of Saint Adrian, part in that of Saint Charles, and in that of Saint John of Calybite. Eginhart, son-in-law and secretary of Charlemagne, deposited a portion of these relics, which had been sent him from Rome, in the abbey of Selghenstadt, of which he was the founder, in the diocese of Mentz.

The famous painting of Corrado Giaquinto, an Italian Rococo painter, commemorates the martyrdom of this family of saints.

They are mentioned with distinction in all the western Martyrologies from the sacramentary of Saint Gregory.

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Fillan of Ireland
2. Saint Liberata of Como
3. Saint Remigius of Rouen
4. Saint Lomer of Corbion
5. Saint Ponziano of Spoleto

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