January 20patristicRoman

Saint Sebastian

Martyr

Sanctified Life

c. 255 AD — c. 288 AD

Milan, Roman Empire (also attributed to Narbonne, Gaul)

Also Known As

Sebastian of MilanSebastianusThe Twice-Martyred Saint

Patronage

athletes,archers,soldiers

"The Lord Jesus, Whom I serve, has raised me, as it were, from the dead, for this very purpose, that once more I might meet you, and protest, in the presence of all the people here assembled, that you are guilty of the most cruel injustice, when you persecute His servants, whom you know to be innocent. Repent, therefore, of your crimes before it is too late."

Saint Sebastian hid his Christian faith while rising to captain of the Praetorian Guard, then used his position to minister to imprisoned Christians. Shot with arrows, he survived, returned to rebuke Emperor Diocletian, and was clubbed to death — becoming the 'twice-martyred saint' and one of Christian history's most beloved martyrs.

Historical Legacy

Historical Journey

Life Locations

Historical Context

Saint Sebastian (Latin: Sebastianus; c. 255–288 AD) was an early Christian saint and martyr, venerated across Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions. Born in Narbonne, Gaul — though Bishop Ambrose of Milan, writing in the 4th century, stated that Sebastian was a native of Milan — Sebastian moved to Rome around 270 AD and enlisted in the Roman army in 283 AD. He rose to serve as a captain in the Praetorian Guard protecting Emperors Maximian and Diocletian, who remained unaware of his Christian faith and valued him for his loyalty and intelligence. During his military service, Sebastian used his position to encourage and support imprisoned Christians. When twin brothers Marcus and Marcellian faced pressure to renounce their faith, Sebastian's impassioned defense convinced them to persevere and also converted their parents, the local prefect Chromatius, his son Tiburtius, and their entire households. He reportedly also restored the speech of a mute woman named Zoe upon her conversion. When his Christian faith was discovered and reported to Emperor Diocletian around 286–288 AD, Sebastian was sentenced to death by arrow fire. Bound to a stake at a military training field, he was shot by archers and left for dead. He miraculously survived and was nursed back to health by Irene of Rome. Rather than fleeing, Sebastian returned to confront Diocletian directly, reproaching the emperor for persecuting innocent Christians. Enraged, Diocletian ordered him clubbed to death, earning Sebastian the designation of 'the saint who was martyred twice.' His body was thrown into a sewer, but a pious woman named Lucina, guided by a vision, recovered his remains and buried them near the Appian Way. The oldest written record of Sebastian's martyrdom appears in the Chronograph of 354. Pope Damasus I built the Basilica Apostolorum (today known as San Sebastiano fuori le mura) over his tomb around 367 AD. Sebastian's association with arrows made him a powerful patron invoked during plague epidemics — in 680 AD, his intercession was credited with ending a severe plague in Rome. He became one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers and is now patron of athletes, archers, soldiers, and the cities of Rome (as its third patron after Peter and Paul) and Rio de Janeiro. His feast day is January 20. Sebastian's martyrdom was a favorite subject of Renaissance artists including Andrea Mantegna, Sandro Botticelli, Guido Reni, and El Greco, making him one of the most depicted Christian saints in Western art.

Canonization: saint

Learn More on Wikipedia

Historical Depiction

Wikimedia Commons Source

Titles & Roles

• Soldier• Martyr• Captain of the Praetorian Guard

Works & Prayers

document

Oration to Emperor Diocletian

Sebastian's bold public rebuke of Diocletian after miraculously surviving the arrow martyrdom, as documented by Saint Ambrose of Milan. He returned to the emperor and denounced the persecution of innocent Christians to his face.

Prayers

"A widely used intercessory prayer invoking Sebastian as patron of soldiers, athletes, and those suffering plague or persecution."

O Blessed Sebastian, who on earth didst fight manfully for the faith of Christ, and who in heaven hast received the crown of martyrdom as a reward, intercede for us before the throne of the Most High. By your glorious martyrdom obtain for us the grace of a lively faith, an ardent charity, and a burning desire of immortal glory. Assist us, we beseech you, in our dangers and temptations, that guided and protected by you, we may safely pass through the trials of this life and arrive safely at eternal life. Amen.

Gallery

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Stsebastian

VAwebteam at English Wikipedia • 14 October 2007 (original upload date)

CC BY-SA 3.0

Reliquary of Saint Sebastian, c. 1497 (Victoria and Albert Museum, London)

Sacred Symbols

Arrows

Symbol of his first martyrdom, shot by archers on Diocletian's orders; became the central image in centuries of Christian art

Palm of Martyrdom

The traditional emblem of Christian martyrs, signifying his victory over death and his witness to the faith

Soldier's Crown

Represents his military rank and his role as protector — both as a Roman soldier and as a heavenly intercessor for soldiers and athletes

Life Journey

Early Life

Born around 255 AD, Sebastian joined the Roman army in 283 and moved to Rome, deliberately using his military position to secretly support and strengthen persecuted Christians.

Turning Point

His faith exposed, Sebastian was condemned and shot with arrows. Left for dead, he survived and returned to confront Diocletian directly — the 'twice-martyred saint.'

Legacy

Clubbed to death on Diocletian's order and enshrined on the Appian Way. His intercession credited with ending Rome's plague of 680 AD made him patron of soldiers and plague victims.

Key Moments

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c. 255

Born in Milan

Born in Milan (or Narbonne, Gaul) and raised in the Christian faith; Bishop Ambrose of Milan later confirmed Sebastian as a native of the city.

c. 283

Joins the Praetorian Guard

Enlisted in the Roman army and rose to captain of the elite Praetorian Guard, serving Emperors Maximian and Diocletian while concealing his Christian identity.

c. 286

Converts Roman Officials

Secretly ministers to imprisoned Christian brothers Marcus and Marcellian, converting their parents, the prefect Chromatius, his son Tiburtius, and many in their households.

c. 288

Condemned by Diocletian

His Christian faith exposed, Sebastian is bound to a stake and shot with arrows by imperial archers, then left for dead on the Field of Mars.

c. 288

Survives and Confronts the Emperor

Nursed back to health by Irene of Rome, Sebastian boldly returns to Diocletian to rebuke him for persecuting Christians, and is beaten to death with clubs — martyred twice.

c. 367

Basilica Built Over His Tomb

Pope Damasus I constructs the Basilica Apostolorum (San Sebastiano fuori le mura) on the Appian Way over Sebastian's tomb, cementing his veneration in Rome.

680

Intercession Ends Roman Plague

Sebastian is invoked during a devastating plague in Rome; his intercession is credited with ending the epidemic, establishing his patronage over plague victims.

c. 255