Sebastian

Holy Martyr Sebastian of Rome.

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.

He is one of the most venerated of the Roman martyrs, in both East and West. He is commemorated on December 18.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Sebastian is commemorated on December 18. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on December 31 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Sebastianos, Sebastian, Bastian

Also commemorated on December 18

• Companions of Sebastian

  Martyr, Νικόστρατος, Ζωή, Τραγκυλίνος και οι συν αυτοίς

  Holy Martyrs Nikostratos, Zoe, Tranquillinus, Marcia, Castorius, Claudius, Tiburtius, Castulus, Marcellinus and Mark, who suffered with Saint Sebastian.

• Sophia the Wonderworker

  Holy Woman, Σοφία η Θαυματουργή

  Holy Sophia the Wonderworker.

• Michael the Synkellos

  Venerable, Μιχαήλ ο Σύγκελλος

  Venerable Michael the Synkellos, Confessor, of Jerusalem and Constantinople.

• Florus of Amisus

  Hierarch, Φλώρος Αμισού

  Florus, Bishop of Amisus on the Black Sea.

• Zacchaeus and Alphaeus

  Martyr, Ζακχαίος ο Διάκονος και Αλφειός ο Αναγνώστης

  Holy Martyrs Zacchaeus the Deacon and Alphaeus the Reader, at Caesarea in Palestine.

• Daniel the Hesychast

  Venerable, Δανιήλ ο Ησυχαστής

  Venerable Daniel the Hesychast of Voronet in Moldavia.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.