Saint Sebastian(died c. 288) was an early Christian saint and martyr, who is said to have been killed during the Roman emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians. He is commonly depicted in art and literature tied to a post or tree and shot with arrows. This is the most common artistic depiction of Sebastian; however, he was rescued and healed by Irene of Rome. Shortly afterwards he criticised Diocletian in person and as a result was clubbed to death. He is venerated in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
The details of Saint Sebastian's martyrdom were first spoken of by 4th century bishop Ambrose of Milan (Saint Ambrose), in his sermon (number 22) on Psalm 118. Ambrose stated that Sebastian came from Milan and that he was already venerated there in the 4th century. Saint Sebastian is a popular male saint, especially among soldiers and athletes who often wear his medal or relics as a pious sacramental.
Read more about Saint Sebastian: Life, Martyrdom, In Art and Literature, Patronage
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“The saint and poet seek privacy to ends the most public and universal: and it is the secret of culture, to interest the man more in his public, than in his private quality.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)