Santi Vito e Modesto, Rome

This area was previously part of the Macellum Liviae,[1] and the market included a inside a large basilica building, later a church, putative identified as the Basilica Sicinium (now identified with the church of Santa Maria Maggiore) mentioned by the historian Ammianus Marcellinus in the 4th century.

A church, titled San Vito in Macello Martyrum was first recorded in the Liber Pontificalis for the reign of Pope Leo III (795–816).

He became very popular during the Middle Ages as the patron saint of those suffering from epilepsy, and was venerated as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.

This legend associated him with two other martyrs called Modestus and Crescentia who were identified as a married couple, his childhood tutor and nursemaid.

One source mentions the church was always suspect due to links to heresy under Pope Damasus I in the 4th century.

They established a small monastery adjacent to the church, which served as the residence of the Procurator General of the Order.

In 1834, the church had a major restoration under the architect Pietro Camporese il Giovane, and in 1900 by Alfredo Ricci who added the modern facade.