The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity

Martyrdom of Sebastianus (BHL 7543)

Summary:

Chs. I-VI (§§ 1-25)
Sebastianus is a friend of the emperors Diocletian and Maximian; he is given command of the first cohort. Sebastianus has many virtues, and is loved by all. He is a Christian in secret, not from personal fear, but to strengthen the souls of suffering Christians. As he exhorts many to martyrdom, his true nature cannot remain hidden because light cannot hide in darkness. He consoles and strengthens the twin brothers Marcus and Marcellianus and their servants in prison. Marcus and Marcellianus are condemned to death unless they consent to sacrifice. As they are aristocrats (clarissimi viri) and rich, their parents, Tranquillinus and Marcia, and their families, gain a thirty-day reprieve from the Prefect of the city of Rome Agrestius Chromatius, to try to convince them to sacrifice. Friends and their mother, father and wives plead with Marcus and Marcellianus to convince them to avoid death. As the brothers start to lose their resolve, Sebastianus who is present, disguised in his military uniform, gives a long speech to strengthens them, contrasting this life and eternal life, and exhorting them to martyrdom.

Ch. VII (§§ 23-25)
As Sebastianus finishes speaking, he is suffused with bright light coming down from heaven, and clothed by seven angels in a shining pallium; a young man (iuvenis) appears by him, saying ‘you will always be with me' (tu semper mecum eris). This happened in the house of the primiscrinius, Nicostratus, where Marcus and Marcellianus are imprisoned. His wife Zoe, mute for six years, responds to Sebastianus with hand movements and, with a sign of the cross on her mouth, she is healed by him, as Christ healed Zachariah. She then cries out and testifies to the truth of Sebastianus’ every word, in particular stating that she saw an angel coming from heaven and bringing a book from which Sebastianus read his speech. Seeing this, Nicostratus apologises for having imprisoned the saints of God, sets them free and wishes that he may die for them.

Chs. VIII-X (§§ 26-30)
Marcus and Marcellianus hold another speech: they ask how they, who have been faithful from infancy, can pass the cup of their passion to Zoe and Nicostratus? They congratulate them on their sudden conversion. They have not yet been initiated in Christianity but are already fighting for the true king. All the hearers indicate their repentance with tears. Marcus exhorts them and warns them about the wiles of the devil. The same penalty confers salvation on the innocent, and punishment on the sinful. All thank God, repent again, and believe in Christ. Nicostratus and his wife undertake not to eat or drink until initiated into Christianity. Sebastianus asks Nicostratus to become primiscrinius of Christ instead of the prefect. He also asks him to free all the prisoners and gather them together. The bishop will be called and he will be initiated together with all those who want to believe. Sebastianus convinces Nicostratus of the fact that criminals can be redeemed by the Saviour. The freeing of prisoners will bring Nicostratus the reward of martyrdom. Nicostratus agrees and gives orders to the commentariensis Claudius to bring all the prisoners in chains to Nicostratus’ house. There, Sebastianus causes the prisoners to repent with a speech: they weep bitterly, kneel, and proclaim belief in Christ. He orders them unchained.

Chs. X-XI (§§ 31-37)
Sebastianus fetches the priest Polycarpus from hiding and tells him what happened. Polycarpus rejoices, comes to the house of Nicostratus, and gives a speech to the crowd of new believers eager to be baptised, about the new commitment that they are about to make – referring in particular to the conversion of Paul. He requires them to fast until sunset, and to give their names to be enrolled and prepare for baptism. All rejoice and give their names. Nicostratus is summoned by Claudius before the prefect. He claims that he has summoned the prisoners to his house to terrify the Christians at the prospect of their punishment and he is dismissed. On their way back, Nicostratus tells Claudius all about his conversion and about Sebastianus’ teaching and the miracles performed. Claudius hopes to get his two ill sons healed. He brings them to Nicostratus’ house, he proclaims his faith in Christ and his hope that his sons will be healed. Polycarpus requires all to give their names. Those who give their names are: Tranquillinus, the father of Marcus and Marcellianus; their six friends Ariston, Crescentianus, Eutychianus, Urbanus, Vitalis and Iustus; Nicostratus and his brother Castorius; Claudius and his sons Felicissimus and Felix; Marcia, Marcellianus and Marcus’ mother, and their wives and sons; Symphorosa, Claudius’ wife, and Zoe, Nicostratus’ wife, and thirty-three other members of Nicostratus’ household, and sixteen prisoners. All sixty-eight are baptised by Polycarpus and received by Sebastianus [as godfather]. Beatrix and Lucina are godmothers (matres) of the women. Claudius’ sons are immediately healed when baptised in the name of the Trinity. The same happens to Tranquillinus, who suffered greatly from gout. He repents and proclaims his faith when interrogated by Polycarpus, then, as all pray for him to be healed, Polycarpus, priest and confessor, anoints him with the chrism, interrogates him about his faith in the Trinity, and as he replies, he is fully healed; he comes out of the font fully renewed as a child. Once all are baptised, they spend the next ten days praising God with hymns and chants, preparing themselves to fight for Christ and die in martyrdom – even the women and children.

Chs. XII-XIV (§§ 38-48)
After the end of the delay granted to Tranquillinus, the prefect Chromatius summons him. Tranquillinus thanks him fulsomely for granting the delay: otherwise he would have lost his sons, and they him. The prefect invites the sons to give incense to the gods; Tranquillinus praises Christians; when called mad (insanus), he says he has more health (sanitas) of soul and body than ever, since he believed in Christ. Chromatius realises that Tranquillinus has fallen into the same error as his sons. Tranquillinus however explains to him that Christians are not in error, but those who choose the way of death, and worship dead gods. He explains how far they are not gods, but cruel, deceitful, and immoral, citing the example of Saturn, Jupiter and Juno. Then he refutes Chromatius’ point that disasters have only come upon Rome since the Christian God – Livy shows that many disasters occurred before Christ. Now, since people started to believe in God, the Roman Empire enjoys better peace, although this is not acknowledged. Chromatius compares this God to the sun, but Tranquillinus tells him that the sun should not be worshipped. Chromatius wonders whether Christians can worship both an only and invisible God, and Christ crucified. Tranquillinus explains to him the Incarnation, and tells him why he has believed and how he was cured. He remarks that he is not afraid of suffering for Christ. At night Chromatius summons Tranquillinus and offers him gold in exchange for healing, as he is similarly ill. Tranquillinus tells him that he has to believe to be cured, and the prefect asks him to send the Christian who healed him: if he is healed he will become a Christian. Tranquillinus goes and tells everything to Polycarpus, who comes to the prefect’s house secretly. Chromatius offers half his patrimony for a cure, Polycarpus says that the cure is belief. He catechises him and asks him to fast for three days. Then, Polycarpus, joined by Sebastianus, fast together for three days and three nights, praying.

Chs. XV-XVI (§§ 49-59)
As Polycarpus and Sebastianus come to Chromatius’ house, he tells them that he is ready and wants to be cured. Polycarpus tells him of the eternal torments of the soul that are far worse than those endured in the body. Chromatius gives his name with his son Tiburtius, thus enrolling to prepare for baptism. Sebastianus insists he be prompted by hope of eternal life rather than of health. He asks Chromatius to first remove the idols from his heart, and let stone idols in his house be smashed, wooden ones be burned, and gold, silver or bronze ones be melted down and sold, and the money given to the poor. This will heal him. Chromatius wants to ask his servants to destroy the idols but Sebastianus refuses, lest they be pagan and negligent. Polycarpus and Sebastianus pray, destroy more than two hundred idols and thank God. They then tell Chromatius that he should have been healed, if not, it means that there is still something to be destroyed. Chromatius tells them about his glass chamber used to study astrology, built with great expense by his father Tarquinius. Sebastianus asks him to destroy it. Chromatius wonders why, and Polycarpus tells him that the signs of the Zodiac are demons and astrology is against God. Christians wholly reject astrology, as it does not tell the truth. Chromatius thinks that it predicts the future but Sebastianus explains that astrology should be rejected. He notes that if one consults two astrologers they will tell different things depending on the information that they get. They cannot predict the future. If everything comes down to the stars, why should a prostitute be censured or a chaste woman be praised? Chromatius admits the rationality of these arguments, and states his belief in God. He lets them destroy the astrological room. His son Tiberius, who is against this, wants to order two ovens/cooking vessels (clibani) to be placed for Sebastianus and Polycarpus at the door of the room, in case Chromatius is not healed after the destruction of the room. Chromatius forbids this, though the saints urge it. As they destroy everything, a young man appears to Chromatius, telling him that he has been sent by Jesus Christ to cure him. Instantly Chromatius is cured. He runs at the man’s feet to kiss them but he prohibits it, telling him that he first needs baptism to be purified from idols. Chromatius and Tiburtius come at Sebastianus’ and Polycarpus’ feet proclaiming their faith in God.

Ch. XVII (§§ 60-63)
Sebastianus recommends that Chromatius should feign illness and ask for a successor to be appointed, so that he can retreat from worldly occupations and prepare for baptism. When interrogated at baptism, the fullness of Chromatius’ faith is apparent: he wants to postpone baptism with plans for renunciation of all sins and righting of all wrongs committed by him. Polycarpus agrees, noting that baptisms are prepared during Lent precisely to promote renunciation. Tiburtius renounces his inheritance and is baptised by Polycarpus and received by Sebastianus [as godfather]. A few days later, having renounced every worldly affair, Chromatius is baptised with 1400 members of his household of both sexes, having first freed all his slaves, noting that those who have God as father cannot be slaves of man.

Chs. XVIII-XIX (§§ 64-72)
Gaius is pope (papa), while Carinus, Diocletian, and Maximian are emperors. Carinus is in Gaul with his army and Diocletian’s persecution is slowed under him; however after his death in Maguntiacum [Mainz] during the consulship of Maximian and Aquilinus, a great persecution takes place: no transaction is allowed without sacrifice to the idols. Chromatius shelters Christians in his house in Rome and in his property in Campania, where he himself goes into hiding. As a dispute arises between Polycarpus and Sebastianus, both wanting to remain in Rome, Gaius tells Polycarpus that he should go and take care of the Christians. On Sunday, Gaius preaches in Chromatius’ house about confession (confessio) and martyrdom (martyrium). He leaves the choice to Christians either to go to Campania or stay in Rome. Tiburtius refuses to go and wishes to be killed for God. Gaius rejoices. Those who stay are: pope Gaius, Marcus and Marcellianus, their father Tranquillinus; Sebastianus, Tiburtius, Nicostratus, his brother Castorius, his wife Zoe; Claudius, his brother Victorinus and his son Symphorianus. Marcus and Marcellianus are made deacons, Tranquillinus is made a priest. Sebastianus is named defensor ecclesiae, the others become subdeacons. They hide with Castulus in the palatium Zetarium, Castulus himself and his household being Christian. They pray and fast day and night, hoping to become martyrs. People secretly come to them and are healed: the blind and infirm are cured, and demons are chased from the possessed. Tiburtius heals a young man badly injured after a fall by saying over him the Lord’s prayer and the creed. Tiburtius then preaches about Christianity to the young man’s parents, and brings them to pope Gaius, who baptises them together with the young man.

Chs. XX-XXI (§§ 73-82)
The author announces that he will now give the narrative of their martyrdom. Zoe prays on the feast of the Apostles at the confessio of the Apostle Peter, she is seized by pagans and brought to the patronus regionis Naumachiae. As she refuses to sacrifice to Mars, she is shut up without light, food, or water. After six days she is suspended by her hair and neck over a cesspit and dies. Her body is tied to a rock and thrown into the Tiber to prevent Christians from taking her body and worshipping her as a goddess. She appears to Sebastianus in a dream telling him how she was martyred. When Polycarpus hears about it, he is surprised that a woman has preceded them in martyrdom. On the octave of the feast of the Apostles, he goes to the confessio of Paul, he is seized, stoned and thrown into the Tiber. Nicostratus, Claudius, Castorius, Victorinus and Symphorianus, are seized as they are looking for the bodies of the saints at the mouth of the Tiber, and are brought to the prefect of the city, Fabianus who tries everything to bring them to sacrifice without success. He then orders them to be thrown into the sea, bound to huge weights. A certain Torquatus, a false Christian, is arrested together with Tiburtius, who, when interrogated by the prefect Fabianus, exposes Torquatus’ loose living. He invites the judge to kill Christians however he pleases, fearing no punishment. Fabianus fails to convince Tiburtius to renounce his faith. He offers him the choice of throwing incense on hot coals or walking on them. Tiburtius makes the sign of the cross then strolls over them without suffering, challenging Fabianus in return to put his hand in hot water with Jupiter’s help. Fabianus replies that it is magic taught by Christ, but Tiburtius summons Fabianus not to speak against Christ. Fabianus orders that he be taken to the third milestone of the via Labicana and be put to the sword. In that place many favours are bestowed up to this day.

Chs. XXII-XXIII (§§ 83-90)
Castulus is betrayed by Torquatus, put in a small pit and killed by being buried alive in sand. Marcus and Marcellianus are arrested and nailed by the feet to a stake; they rejoice and sing psalms and hymns. Fabianus orders them, after a day and a night, to be killed there with lances piercing their sides; and they are buried on the via Appia, at the second milestone from Rome, in a place called ad arenas ('at the sands'), because there were quarries of sand there being used to build the walls of the city. Sebastianus is captured and reproached by Diocletian. He is set up as a target for bowmen, filled with arrows, and left for dead. Irene, widow of Castulus, comes to bury Sebastianus, and finding him still alive, takes him back to her house and heals him in a few days. Sebastianus then confronts the emperors on the steps of the temple of Heliogabal, reproaching them for persecution and noting that Christians are always praying for the health of the state. Diocletian recognises him and is surprised, but Sebastianus tells him that he has been permitted to revive in order to speak against their unjust persecution in front of all the people. Sebastianus is clubbed to death in the hippodrome of the palace, and his body thrown at night into the cloaca Maxima to avoid him becoming a martyr. Sebastianus appears to a certain matrona Lucina and tells her that his body is next to the Circus. He asks her to bring it to the Catacumbas and bury it in a crypt where there are traces (vestigia) of the Apostles. She takes his body at night with the help of her slaves, and buries it as requested. She then stays there for thirty days. When peace comes to the Church, her house is made a church, and she leaves all her possessions to it.


Text (BHL 7543): Acta Sanctorum, Ian. II, 265-278.
Summary: C. Conybeare, The Roman Martyrs Project, Manchester University; revised and expanded by M. Pignot.

Chant and religious singing
Sermon/homily

Burial site of a saint - unspecified
Burial site of a saint - crypt/ crypt with relics

Vigils
Fast
Composing and translating saint-related texts
Visiting/veneration of living saint
Bequests, donations, gifts and offerings
Ceremonies at burial of a saint

Apparition, vision, dream, revelation
Miraculous sound, smell, light
Miracle during lifetime
Healing diseases and disabilities
Miracles causing conversion
Miracle at martyrdom and death
Miracles experienced by the saint
Power over elements (fire, earthquakes, floods, weather)
Exorcism

Bodily relic - entire body

Ecclesiastics - bishops
Ecclesiastics - lesser clergy
Angels
Women
Unbaptized Christians
Pagans
Relatives of the saint
Monarchs and their family
Aristocrats
Soldiers
Officials
Slaves/ servants

Considerations about the hierarchy of saints

Source

Discussion

Bibliography