Saint martyr Sebastian was born in the city of Narbonne (Gaul) and received his education in Mediolanum. Under the emperors Diocletian and Maximian, he held the position of chief of the palace guard. Being a secret Christian, he helped his brothers in faith, including the imprisoned Markellinus and Mark, encouraging them to endure suffering for Christ with fortitude.
The saint delivered an inspired sermon, urging the soldiers not to succumb to the tears of their relatives and to endure suffering for the sake of eternal life. His words made a deep impression on all present, and many believed in the Savior. The saint healed the wife of the treasurer Nicostratus, Zoe, who had lost her speech, which led to a mass baptism.
Nicostratus and his family, as well as many prisoners, accepted baptism, and the number of newly baptized increased to 1400 people. Saint Sebastian continued to strengthen the faith of the neophytes until the persecutions began. The first to be captured was Saint Zoe, followed by other Christians, including the presbyter Tranquillinus and the deacons Markellinus and Mark.
Saint Sebastian was captured and tortured, but remained steadfast in his faith. Emperor Diocletian ordered him to be pierced with arrows, but the saint survived and was secretly buried by the Christian Lukina. Later, he appeared to her in a dream, commanding her to take his body and bury it with honor.
