Sebastian

Saint Sebastian is a 3rd-century Christian martyr, venerated by the Catholic Church. According to tradition, he was an officer in the Roman imperial guard under Diocletian. When his Christian faith was discovered, he was condemned to be executed by archers. Miraculously, he survived this first attempt at martyrdom, being nursed back to health by Saint Irene. Once recovered, he presented himself again to Diocletian to reprimand him for his persecution of Christians. Enraged, the emperor ordered him to be beaten to death, and his body thrown into the sewers. His body was later recovered and buried in the catacombs, at the site of what is now the Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls in Rome. He became a popular saint, particularly as a protector against arrows (symbolizing plagues like the Black Death), soldiers, athletes, and archers.