Date by the old style: June 15. In Russia, St. Vitus was known as St. Fita – a martyr of the early Christian period. No reliable historical information about his life has been preserved, only church traditions. According to these, the seven-year-old son of a pagan Sicilian senator converted to Christianity under the influence of his mentor. During the persecution of Christians, Vitus went to Rome, where he exorcised demons from Emperor Diocletian. The ruler wanted to force the saint to pray to the Roman gods, but he refused. Vitus was arrested and thrown into a cage with lions, but the animals did not touch him. Then the martyr was executed in a cauldron of boiling oil. St. Vitus is especially known in Europe. In Germany, there was even a belief that dancing in front of the saint’s statue on his feast day would bring health and cure illnesses. Among the dancers were often those suffering from nervous disorders, and the dances later became known as “St. Vitus’ dance”. In Russia, peasants observed signs on this day. “Rain on Fita – bad for rye,” they said. It was believed that after this day, no more sowing should be done: “He who sows after Fita, remains simple – the grain does not ripen”. However, oats grow particularly well on Fita (Vita). Therefore, fields began to be guarded against livestock, and livestock against the lush greenery. If this was not done, domestic animals could overeat fresh shoots in the grain field, which could lead to illness or even death. “Pestruha stuffed her belly, falls in the barn – won’t get up,” people said. It was also customary to pray to St. Vitus for the protection of livestock from any other misfortune. Name days on this day: Gregory, Ephraim, Kira, Lazarus, Michael, Modest, Simeon, Theodore