Sebastian of Rome

About Sebastian of Rome

Sebastian was a Roman soldier and secret Christian who ministered to imprisoned Christians. Serving in the Praetorian Guard under Emperor Diocletian, Sebastian used his position to encourage imprisoned Christians and arrange for their care. He converted soldiers and nobles, including prefects Mark and Marcellian. When his faith was discovered, Diocletian felt personally betrayed. Sebastian was tied to a post and shot with arrows. Left for dead, he was nursed back to health by St. Irene. Recovered, Sebastian confronted Diocletian again, denouncing his persecution. This time he was clubbed to death. His double martyrdom and courage made him highly venerated. Renaissance artists frequently depicted him tied to a post pierced with arrows. He is invoked against plague because arrows symbolized plague in medieval thought.