1st century
Saint Sebastiana the Martyr
A first-century Christian who, according to tradition, was instructed in the faith by the Apostle Paul, was persecuted under Domitian and was beheaded at Heraclea in Thrace.
Biography
Sebastiane came from Sebaste in Phrygia and was instructed in the faith by the Apostle Paul. In the 1st century she lived at Marcianopolis in Thrace, where she visited the homes of pagans and brought many women into the Church.
She was arrested for this under Emperor Domitian by the governor Sergius, mistreated and driven from the city. At Heraclea in Thrace she was arrested again, by the governor Pompeianus, and did not waver despite harsh torture.
She was eventually beheaded and buried at Rhaedestus.