Martyr Vilus (Vitus) of Syria

Martyr Vilus of Syria was one of the seven sons of the holy martyrs Terence and Neonilla, who together with his parents and brothers (Sarbelus, Photus, Theodulus, Hierax, Nitas, and Jerome/Bel) suffered a martyr's death for Christ around 250 in Syria, during the persecution of Emperor Decius. The family was seized and, after refusing to offer sacrifice to the pagan gods, subjected to cruel torture and then executed. The Church honors the whole family together on a single feast day, as an example of steadfastness in faith shown by parents and children together in the face of death.