Later, due to the vandalic persecution of Gaiseric, twelve bishops, including Elpidius, were sentenced to death.

They were embarked on a ship without oars or sails, but the boat was wrecked near the coast of Castel Volturno, in Campania.

Elpidius, informed of the death of bishop Canius, erected a small temple on the site to guard his venerated remains, and placed this couplet in front of the basilica: Elpidius praesul hoc templum condidit almum, o Canio martyr, ductus amore tuo.

[9][10][11][12] In 1958, archbishop Demetrio Moscato wanted to carry out a canonical exhumation and reconnaissance of the mortal remains of the saints buried in the crypt of the Salerno cathedral, properly under the "Altar of the Holy Confessors".

[13] Among the other relics were also found those of the three saints: Elpidius Bishop of Atella, Cionius presbyter and Elpicius deacon,[14] placed there by archbishop Alfano I in March 1081, as is clearly stated in a marble inscription.