Events from 303

Great Persecution begins - Diocletian orders destruction of churches, burning of scriptures

St. Vitus martyred at age 12 - Sicilian boy tortured with his tutor and nurse, thrown to lions who refused to attack, boiled in oil

St. Erasmus (Elmo) martyred - bishop of Formia, intestines wound out on windlass, patron of sailors

St. George martyred at Lydda - Roman soldier who refused to sacrifice to pagan gods, survived multiple tortures, beheaded

St. Crescentinus expels dragon from Rome - drives dragon from city into Tiber during Diocletian persecution (Roman martyrology)