San Sebastiano
The Life of Saint Sebastian
Saint Sebastian lived during the reign of Diocletian, was originally from Narbonne and was educated in the Christian faith in Milan. He later moved to Rome, where he became a high-ranking officer in the Roman army and tribune of the first Praetorian Guard.
During his career, Sebastian helped imprisoned Christians and spread the Christian faith among court officials and military personnel. Additionally, he was present at the martyrdom of two young Christians, Marcus and Marcellinus, and with his miraculous presence and divine grace, he persuaded them to resist death rather than renouncing their faith.
The Miracle of Sebastian
During his visit to the two martyrs, Sebastian had a sudden radiance of light that struck everyone present, including the muteness of six-year-old Saint Zoe, the wife of the chief of the imperial chancellery, Nicostratus. Sebastian placed his hands on the woman's lips and made the sign of the cross, restoring her voice.
This miraculous act led to the conversion of many people, including the Roman prefect Cromatius and his son Tiburtius, who suffered martyrdom in Rome. Marcus and Marcellinus were also sentenced to death and were pierced by lances.
The Death of Sebastian
When Diocletian discovered that Sebastian was a Christian, he sentenced him to death. He was tied to a pole, stripped and pierced with arrows all over his body, then it is believed that he was killed. However, when Saint Irene of Rome was able to recover his body for burial, she realized that he was still alive and healed him of the many wounds he had suffered.
Conclusions
Saint Sebastian was a courageous man dedicated to spreading the Christian faith, despite the risk of his influential position in the imperial court. His miraculous presence and the act of healing Christian martyrs made him a symbol of hope and the same faith that he embraced.
