Sebastian of Rome

Holy Martyr Sebastian of Rome was a commander and governor of the city of Attalia, came to faith through a miracle, and was beheaded at Rome in the time of Nero, around the year 66.

Sebastian once spoke with Saint Victor, son of the martyr Photina the Samaritan woman. He told him that he knew for certain that he, his mother and his brother were followers of Christ, but, as a friend, he advised him not to preach openly: he was ready to write to the mother and brother to confess their faith in secret. Victor answered that he wished to be a preacher of Christianity, like his mother and brother, and Sebastian said, "Victor, we all know what disasters await you, your mother and your brother." After these words Sebastian suddenly felt a sharp pain in his eyes, his face changed and he fell mute. For three days he lay blind and silent, and on the fourth he cried out that only the faith of the Christians is true and there is no other. He said to Victor, "Christ is calling me." Soon he was baptized and saw at once, and his servants, witnesses of the miracle, were baptized after their master.

The report reached Nero, who ordered the Christians to be brought for judgment to Rome. The Lord Himself appeared to the confessors and said to them, "I will be with you, and Nero will be conquered and all who serve him." He encouraged Sebastian: "Blessed is he who completes his struggle to the end." At Rome Sebastian endured many torments together with the other martyrs, and the emperor, achieving nothing, ordered the martyrs beheaded.

He is commemorated on 11 March, a movable date, and on 2 April, in the new style.