Biography
Sebastian was an officer in the Praetorian Guard under the Emperor Diocletian. A secret Christian, he used his position to encourage imprisoned Christians facing martyrdom. When his faith was discovered, Diocletian ordered him to be tied to a stake and shot to death by arrows. He was left for dead, but Irene of Rome (also a saint) discovered he was still alive and nursed him back to health. Instead of fleeing Rome, Sebastian intercepted the Emperor on a staircase and publicly rebuked him for his cruelty against Christians. Stunned that Sebastian was alive, the Emperor ordered him to be beaten to death with clubs and thrown into the sewers.
Miracles & Signs
- ✦Surviving the execution by arrows
- ✦Numerous towns saved from the plague after invoking his intercession
Wisdom & Quotes
“(To the Emperor): 'The Lord has granted me life so that I might return to rebuke you for your treatment of His servants!'”