Saint Marius was a noble man in the Kingdom of Persia who converted to Christianity along side his wife (Martha) and two sons (Audifax and Abachum). After becoming followers of Christ , they sold their possessions and land and travelled to Rome to visit the tombs of the great Apostles during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. They began visiting Christians 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 circus 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 (that place is known as Santa Ninfa). Their remains were gathered and buried by Felicitas. Their story is recorded in the Martyrology of the Catholic Church.