Modestus of Rome

Holy Martyr Modestus of Rome, called also the tutor (educator), suffered with Saint Vitus and with the martyr Crescentia, his nurse. The three suffered for Christ in the time of the emperor Diocletian (284-305), around the year 303. Vitus was the son of a great pagan Sicilian dignitary, Hylas. From childhood he was inflamed with love for the Lord Jesus Christ and prayed to Him unceasingly. The Lord gave him the gift of working wonders: he healed the sick and brought to Christ a multitude of pagans. Learning of this, the governor Valerian summoned Hylas and advised him to turn his son from faith in Christ. Just then the emperor had issued an edict of persecution of Christians, so that not only the boy but the whole house of Hylas could suffer. Hylas did not succeed in persuading Vitus and began to beat him. Valerian learned that Vitus had refused to sacrifice to the gods and summoned him to trial. Before the court the youth steadfastly confessed his faith and categorically refused to sacrifice to idols.

The tutor Modestus and the nurse Crescentia helped him to flee to Lucania. Vitus and Modestus had to appear before Diocletian. When Jesus Christ appeared to the prisoners, strengthening them in their struggle and giving them His help, the chains fell from their hands. Counting the wonder as sorcery, Diocletian ordered Vitus to be thrown into a cauldron of boiling tin. The saint stood in it as in cool water and remained unharmed. Then a huge lion was let loose on him; the boy crossed himself, and the beast lay down meekly at his feet and licked his soles. The martyrs were hung on posts and scraped with iron claws. Saint Crescentia came out from the crowd of spectators, confessed herself a Christian and rebuked the emperor for cruelty. She was put to the same torment. Saint Vitus cried to God, "God, save us by Your power and deliver us." An earthquake began. Many pagans perished under the collapsing buildings, and Diocletian fled in fear to his palace. An angel took the martyrs down from the posts and carried them to Lucania. Saint Vitus prayed to God to receive their souls in peace and not to deprive of His benefactions all who would keep their memory. From heaven a voice was heard: "Your prayer is heard." The saints gave their souls to God with joy.

The relics of Saint Vitus were carried to Prague. The right-⁠believing Prince Wenceslas of Bohemia (commemorated on 28 September) built in honour of the holy martyr a church, in which he was later buried. Modestus is commemorated on 29 May and on 28 June, in the new style.