I wanted to share some reflections on the beautifully tragic martyrdom of Saint Sebastian in 288 AD. Now, Saint Ambrose of Milan - the bishop of Milan from 374 until his death - in his book titled A Tale of Death and Glory, writes of Sebastian’s courageously devout life; detailing Sebastian’s service to the Praetorian Guard, his many miracles in the name of our Lord, and his martyrdom under Emperor Diocletian. Secular scholars can only agree on three certain facts about the life of Saint Sebastian, namely, that he was venerated in Milan since the time of his martyrdom in 288 AD, that he rose quickly to the rank of commander of the 1st cohort of the Roman Army, and that he was buried in the Appian Way in Rome, were his remains can still be venerated to this day. However, thanks to St. Ambrose’s writings and Church Tradition in Milan and Rome, we can come to understand a deeper insight into the devout gladiator of the Divine Army. The year of his sacrifice stands as a profound testament to faith within the harsh reality of the Roman Empire, echoing the endurance and spiritual strength shown by Jesus Christ nearly three centuries earlier.

Saint Sebastian, raised in Milan, Italy endeavored to Rome to join the Roman army. Scholars agree that there exist stories describing his motivations for joining the Roman military. Interestingly enough they do not like to share their sources so I have the honor of sharing it with you. St. Ambrose puts in plainly, “But the reason Sebastian concealed his faith from them was not that he was afraid of death or torture, nor that he was reluctant to lose his high position and the wealth and prestige which accompanied it. Rather, he knew that by serving well at the court and exercising a role of leadership in the army, he would be able to encourage and assist his many fellow Christians who faced persecutions and hardships and embolden them to be steadfast in their faith—to the bitter end if necessary.”(Excerpt From A Tale of Death and Glory Ambrose of Milan).

The parallels between Sebastian’s sufferings and the Crucifixion are striking. Just as Christ was utterly detached from all the things of this world, stripped and bound for his execution, Sebastian too forwent worldly pleasures and delights, risking his life for the sake of emboldening his brothers and sisters in Christ. Saint Sebastian too would face death not only once but twice. Initially tied to a stake and used as a target for archers; which miraculously he survived. Thanks to a servant of the Lord, now known as Saint Irene, who nursed Sebastian back to health after he had been left for dead. The second time he faced death was only after the emperor Diocletian, mortified at the sight of Sebastian still being alive, was condemned to death yet again by being clubbed to death. Both moments capture a sense of deep physical vulnerability transformed into ultimate spiritual victory. In the face of an empire that demanded total submission, Sebastian’s willingness to suffer for his beliefs mirrors the selfless endurance of the Passion, highlighting a shared legacy of martyrdom that defined early Christian identity.

One instance of Sebastians boldness that is so striking is an account of his witness to two Christian twin brothers Marcus and Marcellianus, who had been imprisoned for their faith. Two very devout warriors for Christ who came from an affluent Roman family. These men had everything and yet were willing to give it all up, including their lives, for the Lord’s sake. It wasn’t until their mother and father, wives and children came to visit them in prison — who were not Christian — lamenting and heartbroken that their only sons were going to be executed. From their pagan lenses they could not understand why their sons “wanted to die” if all they had to do to save their lives was offer sacrifice or burn incense to the Roman gods. Saint Sebastian being a Praetorian Guard was their in the prison and heard all of this. Saint Ambrose tells it like this:

“Now, Sebastian—as a commander of the imperial cohort— was also present at the time, waiting quietly in the background and witness“witnessing and listening to all that transpired. Although he was in attendance as a court official and representative of the emperor, his real loyalty lay to the God of heaven and the Christian faith. The military garb which he wore of a soldier of Rome was a disguise for one who was more truly a soldier of Christ. And he realized that Marcus and Marcellianus, the two strong athletes of Jesus, were beginning to be fatigued under the strain of their struggle and that their resolve was starting to falter.

So he stood up in the midst of them all and raised his voice boldly: “O brave warriors of Christ, until now you have shown yourself to be skillful gladiators in the Divine battle! You have both drawn near the palm of glorious victory through your strength of heart and unwavering “determination. Now are you, who have already overcome the torments of the torturer, going to be so easily overcome by mere tears and words? Shall you throw away an everlasting crown of glory for this?

“Stand firm and arm yourselves, not with weapons of steel, but with the invincible sword of faith! Do not permit your victory to be stolen away by the tears and sighs of women. You have already almost conquered the enemy of your salvation, the devil, and stand with your feet planted upon his cowering neck. Do not let him arise again and beat you! Raise yourselves up from all earthly affections; do not loosen your grasp now on the glorious trophy of immortal life which you hold in your hands for the sake of mere mortal tears and the crying of infants.”

(Excerpt From A Tale of Death and Glory Ambrose of Milan)

Ultimately, Sebastian’s story is one of resilience. Much like the narrative of the Crucifixion, his suffering is not merely a tale of pain, but one of unwavering devotion. Moreover, his life and witness to his fellow martyrs and servants of Christ echoes the words of Christ when He was asked about His own mother, “Who is my mother? Who is my brother?.. Here are my mother and my brethren! Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

Absolute surrender to the will of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit is going to reflect what True Love really is. Ultimately that is the only thing that will actually convict those who are broken hearted and in tears. Succumbing to the lamentations of this world will only hinder our abilities to see the Face of God. Standing firm against the Roman authorities, was only a fruit of Saint Sebastians true conviction in His heart through Christ our Lord. He bridged the centuries between his own time and the life of Christ, offering a powerful example of how faith can transcend the most brutal of circumstances.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

St. Paul to the Romans Chapter 5