Saint Sebastian
- Feast
- 20 January
- Patron of
- soldiers, athletes, archers and protection from plague
Sebastian was martyred in Rome in the reign of Diocletian, traditionally around the year 288, and was buried on the Appian Way, where a basilica bears his name. A later account adds that he was an officer of the imperial guard who secretly encouraged Christians in prison until he was found out and handed to the archers.
According to that account he survived the arrows, was nursed back to health by a widow named Irene, and returned to confront the emperor, who had him beaten to death. Painters, above all in the Renaissance, show him as a young man bound to a tree or column and pierced with arrows.
Sebastian suits an athlete, a soldier or anyone who needs courage to stand up and be counted. He was shot for his faith and, when he could have slipped away, went back to say it again to the emperor's face.
9 prints of Saint Sebastian
Saint Sebastian
Catholic Art Studio
From $33.26
Madonna and Child with Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian
Lorenzo Lotto
From $31.52
Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian
Antonio del Pollaiuolo
From $32.98
Saint Christopher with Saints Roch and Sebastian
Lorenzo Lotto
From $31.52
Saint Sebastian
Guido Reni
From $32.98
Saint Sebastian
Pietro Perugino
From $44.13
Saint Sebastian
Cima da Conegliano
From $50.88
St. Sebastian
Antonio Bellucci
From $41.47
The Martyrdom of St. Sebastian
Andrea Mantegna
From $101.29
Questions
When is the feast of Saint Sebastian?
The feast of Saint Sebastian is kept on 20 January.
What is Saint Sebastian the patron saint of?
Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of soldiers, athletes, archers and protection from plague.
Is Saint Sebastian a good confirmation saint?
Sebastian suits an athlete, a soldier or anyone who needs courage to stand up and be counted. He was shot for his faith and, when he could have slipped away, went back to say it again to the emperor's face.
Is Saint Sebastian the patron saint of people named Sebastian?
Yes. Saint Sebastian is the traditional name saint for anyone called Sebastian, Sebastián, Sebastiano and Sébastien, and the feast on 20 January is their name day.
Choosing for a confirmation? See Confirmation gifts. Any two Charcoal Saints are 15% off.
Other patron saints
AgnesAnneAnthony of PaduaAugustine of HippoBenedict of NursiaBernadette SoubirousCarlo AcutisCatherine of SienaCeciliaChristopherClare of AssisiDominicDymphnaFaustina KowalskaFrancis of AssisiFrancis XavierGeorgeGerard MajellaGianna Beretta MollaIgnatius of LoyolaJoan of ArcJohn of the CrossJohn Paul IIJohn the BaptistJosephJosephine BakhitaJuan DiegoJude ThaddeusKateri TekakwithaLucyMartin de PorresMary MagdaleneMaximilian KolbeMichael the ArchangelMonicaNicholasPadre PioPatrickPaulPeregrine LaziosiPeterPier Giorgio FrassatiRita of CasciaTeresa of ÁvilaTeresa of CalcuttaThérèse of LisieuxThomas AquinasJeromeCatherine of AlexandriaMartin of Tours