Two hundred years after his death a legend sprang up about his life. According to this legend, Sebastian, a Christian, decided to go into the military during a time of persecution. This decision was not to save his own life, but in order to put himself in a position to comfort the martyrs, as he did with Mark and Marcellian. As a member of the military, the ones who captured and guarded the persecuted Christians, he was in ideal place to stay with them, encourage them, and even alleviate their sufferings without anyone being suspicious or keeping him out.
He showed such aptitude, however, in the military life, that the emperor Diocletian made him a captain without ever guessing Sebastian was a Christian. As more and more Christians died, it was inevitable that Sebastian would be found out. Diocletian was furious at what he saw as a betrayal after all he had done for Sebastian. He ordered Sebastian to be shot by archers.
Irene, a Christian, found Sebastian still alive and nursed him back to health. As soon as he could stand, Sebastian went looking for Diocletian. Sebastian didn't want revenge or a reprieve. He wanted to accuse Diocletian of all the cruelties he had committed. Diocletian had Sebastian beaten to death.
A Sebastian proconsul of Diocletian is also mentioned in connection with the legend of Santa Innocenza.
Sebastian is considered patron saint of archers and soldiers based on this legend.
His Feast Day is on January 20, according to both the
New Roman Calendar [The Divine Office, London: Collins, 1974]
and the Old Roman Calendar [Omar Engelbert, The Lives of the Saints,
London: 1951].
Page last modified December, 1996.