Cursed by Saint Vitus? A strange medieval affliction caused a mass hysteria event in Europe where people inexplicably and uncontrollably danced for weeks, leading to several deaths from exhaustion. Likely caused by extreme stress, famine, and disease, victims believed they were cursed by St. Vitus (290-303), an early Christian martyr during the Diocletianic Persecution from Sicily and patron saint of dancers, actors, and epileptics, traditionally associated with healing neurological disorders — specifically Sydenham's chorea known as "St. Vitus’ Dance". Dancing sickness or disease was a documented, fatal phenomenon. This and other bizarre events lead up to the infamous Massachusetts Salem Witch Trails that took place in 1692. His Feast Day is June 15.

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Audio credits: History Unplugged podcast with Scott Rank (Episode-Witches Weren't Burned During The Middle Ages, That Actually Happened in the Renaissance Period; 06jun2023) Salem Media, Parthenon Network. Audio excerpts reproduced under the Fair Use (Fair Dealings) Legal Doctrine for purposes such as criticism, comment, teaching, education, scholarship, research and news reporting.

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