Orthodox saints and name days on December 18

Name days on December 18

Sebastianos, Sebastian, Bastian

Saints and feasts of December 18

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  Sebastian

  Martyr, Σεβαστιανός

  The holy martyr Sebastian was a Roman soldier of high rank who suffered under the persecution of Diocletian at the end of the third century. A secret Christian who strengthened imprisoned confessors, he was denounced, bound to a tree, and shot with arrows; found still living, he confessed Christ again before the emperor and was then put to death. A company of martyrs who suffered with him is honored alongside him.

  Name days: Sebastianos, Sebastian, Bastian

• Companions of Sebastian

  Martyr, Νικόστρατος, Ζωή, Τραγκυλίνος και οι συν αυτοίς

  These holy martyrs were companions of St. Sebastian at Rome in the persecution of Diocletian. Many of them, including the prison-keeper Nikostratos and his wife Zoe, came to faith through Sebastian's preaching and the healing of Zoe, who had been mute. They confessed Christ and were put to death in various ways, sharing the martyr's crown.

• Sophia the Wonderworker

  Holy Woman, Σοφία η Θαυματουργή

  Holy Sophia is remembered by the Greek Synaxarion on this day as a wonderworker. Tradition records that she lived in holiness and reposed in peace.

• Michael the Synkellos

  Venerable, Μιχαήλ ο Σύγκελλος

  Venerable Michael was born in Jerusalem in the eighth century and became a monk and later synkellos of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Sent to Constantinople, he confessed the veneration of the holy icons before the iconoclast emperors and endured prison and exile.

• Florus of Amisus

  Hierarch, Φλώρος Αμισού

  Florus was Bishop of Amisus in Pontus. The Synaxarion records that he had served as a court official before embracing the monastic life, and that he governed his church in holiness and reposed in peace.

• Zacchaeus and Alphaeus

  Martyr, Ζακχαίος ο Διάκονος και Αλφειός ο Αναγνώστης

  The holy martyrs Zacchaeus, a deacon of Gadara, and Alphaeus, a reader of the church of Caesarea, suffered at Caesarea in Palestine at the beginning of the persecution of Diocletian. Their martyrdom is recorded by Eusebius, who tells that they were tortured and beheaded together.

• Daniel the Hesychast

  Venerable, Δανιήλ ο Ησυχαστής

  Venerable Daniel was a hermit of Moldavia in the fifteenth century who lived in a cell carved into the rock near the future monastery of Voronet. Tradition relates that he was the spiritual counsellor of the prince Stephen the Great, who built the monastery at his encouragement. He reposed in peace and is honoured by the Church of Romania.