The holy martyrs suffered during the reign of Zeno, when the Arian Gunnerich ruled in Africa. He, together with Arian bishops, organized fierce persecutions against the Orthodox, surpassing the persecutions of Diocletian. The Orthodox gathered in the church for a secret service but were cut down by the sword of the barbarians, executing Gunnerich's command. 300 people, steadfast in faith, were killed, among whom were priests, two of whom were burned, and sixty had their tongues cut off. Despite this, those deprived of tongues continued to preach, astonishing everyone. They confessed the Son of God as consubstantial with the Father.
In Rome, the wife of the governor, Sunilda, forced Anfisa to accept Arian baptism, but she refused, declaring her baptism by Bishop Ambrose. In anger, Sunilda burned the holy Anfisa. Anfisa's husband, frightened, was baptized with Arian baptism, but soon after, during a ride on horseback, he was struck by lightning and burned, which became God's judgment upon him.
