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Greek Name Days

3rd century

Saint Sebastian

An officer of the Praetorian Guard from Milan who, according to tradition, supported persecuted Christians and was martyred in Rome during the persecution of Diocletian in the late 3rd century.

18 December

Biography

Sebastian was born in Milan around the mid-3rd century and was raised as a Christian. Thanks to his birth and abilities he rose in the army, and Diocletian made him commander of a Praetorian cohort.

From that position he secretly supported persecuted Christians and helped the church of Rome, for which Pope Gaius named him its defender. But when a group of Christians was on trial, he publicly declared that he too was a Christian, and Diocletian ordered him executed by archers.

According to tradition, the Christian woman Lucina (in other versions, Irene) found his body still breathing and nursed him back to health; Sebastian then confronted Diocletian again over his cruelty, and this time was clubbed to death.

Sources and further reading