The holy martyrs suffered under Emperor Decius (249–251) for refusing to offer sacrifices to pagan idols. The governor of Africa, Fortunatian, gathered the people, displayed the instruments of torture, and demanded sacrifices from everyone. However, forty Christians, led by Saint Terentius, boldly confessed their faith. Fortunatian, astonished by their courage, imprisoned them while the other martyrs were tortured, yet they did not renounce Christ.
Fortunatian again urged them to offer sacrifices to the idols, but the martyrs, calling upon God, destroyed the idols in the temple. Enraged, the governor ordered their execution. After the execution, he summoned Terentius and his friends, but they refused to sacrifice. Fortunatian shackled them and ordered them to be starved in prison, but the angel of the Lord removed their chains and strengthened them.
The next morning, seeing that the martyrs were cheerful and full of strength, Fortunatian ordered snakes to be brought into the prison. However, the snakes, instead of harming the martyrs, attacked the sorcerers. The furious governor ordered the holy martyrs to be beheaded, and the Christians buried them with honor outside the city.
