A South German painted wood figure of Saint Vitus, circa 1500

The son of a Sicilian Senator, Saint Vitus spurned his family's pagan religion and converted to Christianity as a young boy.  He is often depicted in or alongside a kettle of boiling tar or lead, referring not to his martyrdom but to an episode recounted in which he was thrown into such a couldron and miracolously escaped unharmed.  He is venerated as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers of the Catholic Church, and is the patron saint of actors, comedians, and dancers.