What is "vitas"

Vitaliy Vladasovich Grachov (, ; born 19 February 1979), known professionally as Vitas (, ), is a Ukrainian singer and songwriter. He sings mainly in Russian. His music is often difficult to categorize, incorporating elements of techno, dance, classical, jazz, and folk music. His 2000 song "Opera 2" was released as a single in 2001, and has been forwarded over email and on various social networks frequently, which accounts for much of his worldwide recognition.

Vitas designs his own stage costumes. DIVA (ДИВА) is the name of the band that accompanies Vitas during his concerts. He has achieved much notability through Russian television, and since 2005 his career has advanced into Asian markets. He has signed with entertainment labels such as Universal which distributes his music in Taiwan, and he has toured extensively in China and several other countries. He has performed duets with many other singers including Demis Roussos, Lucio Dalla, and his own grandfather, with whom he sings "Friendship".

The Blessed Vitas, O.P., or Wit (died ca. 1269) was a Polish Dominican friar and the first bishop in Lithuania (1253–1255).

Little is known about his origins, early career or his episcopal work. It is likely that he was a student of the first Polish Dominican, Hyacinth of Poland.

Following the conversion to Christianity and coronation of King Mindaugas during the summer of 1253, there was some delay in appointing a bishop for the Grand Duchy of Lithuania due to political intrigues. In October or November 1253, Pełka, Bishop of Gniezno, consecrated Wit and tasked him with the conversion of the Lithuanian people. However, he was not recognized by Mindaugas or accepted by the populace and his activities in Lithuania are unknown, although he is sometimes associated with Mindaugas' Cathedral.

In 1254, the priest Christian , a member of the Livonian Order, was appointed bishop and recognised by King Mindaugas with the grant of lands in Samogitia. In 1254, Vitas wrote to Pope Innocent IV about the deplorable conditions of Christians in Lithuania and asked for a transfer. On March 1, 1255, Pope Alexander IV granted Vitas' petition.

After leaving Lithuania, the Pope appointed Vitas as an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Wroclaw, where he served till about 1260, when he was made auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Poznan, at least until 1263. Historian Jan Kurczewski believes that Vitas established a Dominican church and monastery in the city of Lubcha, in present-day Belarus.

Vitas is venerated as a " blessed" of the Order and there have been suggestions that he was martyred.

Vitas might refer to:

• VITAS Healthcare, the largest provider of hospice care in the U.S.
• Vitas (born 1981), Russian singer
• Vitas (Bishop of Lithuania) (died ca. 1269), Dominican priest and bishop
• Vitas Gerulaitis (1954–1994), Lithuanian-American professional tennis player
• Short for Vytautas, Lithuanian given name
• Vitas Tsai (Chinese: 菜宇程 Tsai Yuchen), Taiwanese person