Martyr
Martyr Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia
†ок. 303 (при имп. Диоклетиане)
Martyr Vitus — a boy from a noble pagan Sicilian family, secretly instructed in Christianity by his tutor Modestus and his nurse Crescentia, who received from God the gift of healing; after his father denounced him, he was tortured together with his guardians under Emperor Diocletian, miraculously surviving boiling tin and a starved lion, and died around 303; his veneration is confirmed in the Orthodox Church as well, not only in the West.
The Martyr Vitus was born in Lucania (southern Italy)/Sicily to a noble pagan family. From childhood he was secretly instructed in the Christian faith by his tutor Modestus and his nurse Crescentia, and received from God the gift of healing the sick, including casting out demons. When his father learned of his faith, he tried to force his son back to paganism, but, seeing this fail, denounced him to the governor. Fleeing persecution, Vitus, together with Modestus and Crescentia, escaped to Lucania, where he continued to heal the suffering. According to one version of the Life, he managed to heal the demon-possessed son of Emperor Diocletian, but when this miracle did not bring the emperor to faith, only intensifying suspicions of sorcery, all three were seized and tortured: thrown into boiling tin and to a starved lion — yet remained unharmed. After further torment, they died as martyrs around 303. The veneration of Vitus, Modestus, and Crescentia is confirmed in the Orthodox Church as well — dedicated articles exist on pravenc.ru and azbyka.ru, with commemoration traced back to the 11th century (Ostromir Gospel); in Western tradition Vitus is regarded as patron against epilepsy and nervous disorders ("St. Vitus's Dance").
NOTE: the previously empty stub has been filled with a full biography. The exact commemoration date varies across sources (both May and June variants appear) — the most widespread tradition, June 15/28, has been retained.