SISINNIO, MARTIRIO and ALESSANDRO, saints, martyrs. - They are commemorated in the Hieronymian Martyrology on 29 May.
The details of their martyrdom are recounted by Bishop Vigilio of Trento in two letters written respectively to Simplicio of Milan and to s. Giovanni Crisostomo. They were clerics of the Tridentine Church: S. a deacon, M. a reader, and A. a doorkeeper. Sent by the bishop to evangelize the inhabitants of the Val di Non (Anaunia), they built a church there. On the morning of 29 May 397 a group of fanatical pagans burst into their dwelling and surprised S. in bed, attended by M., who was tending the wounds he had received the previous day. Both were dragged to the temple of Saturn: S. with a little bell tied around his neck; N., pierced with pieces of wood, died on the way. Shortly afterwards A. too was captured and, led to the same place, was invited to sacrifice; when he refused, he was scourged and then killed. A church was subsequently built on the site of the martyrdom.
(photo: Soprintendenza ai Monumenti, Trento)