The Academy was established on 2 February 1879 by four distinguished scholars of sacred antiquity: Mariano Armellini, Adolfo Hytreck, Orazio Marucchi, and Enrico Stevenson.
[3] The Academy is tasked with promoting the cult of the holy martyrs and increasing, through study, knowledge of the saints, including their example as "witnesses of the Faith".
The Academy organises and promotes celebrations of ancient Christian cemeteries, the catacombs, and other sacred places, as well as religious functions and archaeological conferences.
The Academy holds at least two general meetings each year, close to the Papal Institute of Christian Archaeology and the Collegio Teutonico in Vatican City.
[1] During Lent, the Academy also supports the celebration of the station days, which combine fasting with processions to certain Roman churches, a practice revived by Carlo Respighi, who was magister from 1931 to 1947.