| A Roman martyr, St. Sebastian was an officer in the Imperial Army. In secret, he performed acts of charity for his brethren in the Faith, converting and curing many. In the year 286, he was discovered to be a Christian, and it was ordered that he be executed. He was handed over to the Mauretanian archers, who pierced him with arrows - but he did not die, he was healed by the widowed St. Irene (he was eventually killed, by the blows of a club).
St. Sebastian is the patron saint of archers, athletes and soldiers, and is appealed to for protection against plagues. His feast day is January 20th. |
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