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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world


Name

Sebastianus, martyr of Rome

Saint ID

S00400

Number in BH

BHL 7543-7549
BHG 1619z-1620

Reported Death Not Before

285

Reported Death Not After

305

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Martyrs, Soldiers
Related Evidence Records
IDTitle
E00682The Notitia ecclesiarum urbis Romae, a guide to saints' graves around Rome, lists those under the church of San Sebastiano, on the via Appia, south of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 625/649.
E01052The Depositio Martirum, a list of burials of martyrs (primarily of Rome), gives both the day of the year and the place of their burial; from the so-called Chronography of 354, compiled in Latin in Rome, c. 354.
E01629The short Life of *Theodorus (bishop of Rome, ob. 649, S00856) in the Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome soon after his death, records his transfer of the bodies of *Primus and Felicianus (martyrs of Rome, S00855) from the via Nomentana outside Rome to the intramural church of *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), and his gifts there; the building of a church of *Valentinus (priest and martyr of Rome, S00433) on the via Flaminia to the north of Rome; and oratories dedicated to *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400) at the Lateran, and *Euplus (martyr of Catania, S00207) outside the gate of St *Paul (the Apostle, S00008). It also refers to the church of *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033) 'at the Crib' [= S. Maria Maggiore], and to Theodorus' burial at St. *Peter's (the Apostle, S00036) on 14 May.
E01678The short Life of *Leo II (bishop of Rome, ob. 683, S00875) in the Liber Pontificalis, written in Latin in Rome soon after his death, records his building of a church of *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), close to the church of *Bibiana (martyr of Rome under the emperor Julian, S00728); his translation there of the bodies of the martyrs *Simplicius, Faustinus, and Beatrix (martyrs of Rome, S00886); and his burial at the church of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) on 3 July. Some manuscripts also attribute to Leo II the building of the church of *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400) and *George (soldier and martyr, S00259) at the Velabro.
E02204Calendar of the Church of Carthage (central North Africa) lists saints whose liturgical commemorations were celebrated in January. Written in Latin in Carthage, probably between 505 and 535.
E02512The Latin Martyrdom of Sebastianus and Companions, perhaps by Arnobius the Younger, narrates the martyrdom of *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400) and his companions: the priest Polycarpus; *Marcellianus and Marcus (twin brothers, deacons and martyrs of Rome, S01401); their parents, *Tranquillinus and Marcia (martyrs of Rome, S02747); the primiscrinius Nicostratus, his wife *Zoe (martyr of Rome, S02747) and brother Castorius; the commentariensis Claudius, his wife *Symphorosa (martyr of Rome, S02747), his brother Victorinus and son Symphorianus; *Tiburtius (son of the prefect Chromatius, martyr of Rome, S01404); and *Castulus (martyr of Rome, S01405). Tiburtius is buried at the third milestone of the via Labicana; Marcellianus and Marcus at the second milestone of the via Appia in the place called ad arenas, Sebastianus at the Catacumbas cemetery, in a crypt commemorating the Apostles *Peter and *Paul (S00036 and S00008). Written presumably in Rome, probably in the 5th c.
E04438Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (1.10), narrates miraculous stories based in Todi (central Italy) featuring *Fortunatus (bishop of Todi, ob. c. 537, S01716). These describe Fortunatus driving out evil spirits, and four other miracles. On one occasion, the sight of relics of *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400) caused a sinful woman to be possessed by a demon. Another time, a sinful Goth broke a rib as he passed by the church of *Peter (the Apostle, S00036); he was later cured by Fortunatus. Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
E04501Gregory the Great, in his Dialogues (3.30), describes the re-consecration of an Arian church in the Suburra, Rome, and its dedication to *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00794) and *Agatha (virgin and martyr of Catania, S00400); visible signs of both God’s presence and the expulsion of evil spirits are described. Written in Latin in Rome, c. 593.
E04615The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 19 January.
E04616The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 20 January.
E04622The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 25 January.
E04623The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 26 January.
E05088Latin inscription recording the fulfillment of a vow to *Sebastianus, martyr of Rome (S00400). Found in the church of S. Sebastiano/Basilica Apostolorum at the Cemetery ad Catacumbas, via Appia, Rome. Probably 401/417 or slightly later.
E05090Latin epitaph, partly composed in verse, for a cleric of the church of *Iohannes and Paulus (brothers and eunuchs, martyrs of Rome under Julian, 361/363, S00384), buried in the crypt of the church of *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400) at the cemetery ‘ad Catacumbas,’ via Appia, Rome. Dated 535.
E05110Very fragmentary Latin epitaph recording the donation of a tomb sited probably near a 'blessed saint' who has tentatively been identified as *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400). Found near the church of S. Sebastiano/Basilica Apostolorum at the cemetery ‘ad Catacumbas,’ via Appia, Rome. Date unknown.
E05169The Latin Calendar of Sinai records the feasts of saints through the year, followed by a list of the apostles to various regions of Christianity. Written possibly in North Africa, possibly in the 7th/8th c.; preserved in a manuscript, probably of the 9th c., in St Catherine's monastery, Sinai. Basic Entry.
E05394Ambrose of Milan, in a sermon on Psalm 118 (119), refers to the martyrdom and feast day of *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00040), and claims he was Milanese by birth. Written in Latin in Milan (northern Italy), 388/389
E05434Bede, in his Martyrology, records the feast on 20 January of *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400), with a brief account of his martyrdom, and his eventual burial in the 'ad Catacumbas' cemetery (on the via Appia). Written in Latin at Wearmouth-Jarrow (north-east Britain), 725/731.
E05840The Calendar of Willibrord, in its earliest version, records the feasts of various saints in January. Written in Latin at Echternach, Frisia (north-east Gaul), 703/710.
E06046Mosaics in the nave of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna (northern Italy) depicting twenty-two female saints, preceded by the three Magi, processing towards the Virgin and Child, and twenty-six male saints, probably originally preceded by *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), processing towards Christ; created under Bishop Agnellus, 557/564.
E06377Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 8.5) of 597, to Venantius, bishop of Luna, gives orders for the provisioning of a new female monastery within his city, dedicated to *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Iohannes and Paulus (brothers and eunuchs, martyrs of Rome, S00384), *Hermes (martyr of Rome, buried on the via Salaria vetus, S00404) and *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S05110); and for the consecration of the monastery's oratory in the countryside nearby; all at Luna (northern Italy). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06399Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 9.166) of 599, to Fortunatus, bishop of Naples, mentions the foundation and consecration of a monastery dedicated to *Hermes (martyr of Rome, buried on the via Salaria vetus, S00404), *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400), *Cyriacus (presumably the martyr of Rome, S00678) and *Pancratius (martyr of Rome, S00307) in Naples (southern Italy). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06411Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 9.233) of 599, to Decius, bishop of Lilybaeum, asks him to consecrate a female monastery dedicated to *Peter (the Apostle, S00036), *Laurence (deacon and martyr of Rome, S01229), *Hermes (martyr of Rome, buried on the via Salaria vetus, S00404), *Pancratius (martyr of Rome, S00307), *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400), and *Agnes (virgin and martyr of Rome, S00097), inside the city of Lilybaeum (Sicily). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06413Gregory the Great in a papal letter (Register 10.18) of 600, to Adeodatus, an abbot of Naples, deals with the union of two monasteries, one of them dedicated to *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400) in Naples (southern Italy). Written in Latin in Rome.
E06492The Latin Life of *Rusticula, also known as Marcia (abbess of Arles, ob. 627/632, S02433), is written by the presbyter Florentius; it recounts her pious childhood, her many years as abbess of the monastery of saint John at Arles (southern Gaul), her political travails, and several lifetime and posthumous miracles. Written in southern Gaul, c. 627/640. Overview entry.
E06540The Latin Gelasian Sacramentary (or Liber Sacramentorum Romanae Ecclesiae), probably compiled around 750 near Paris using earlier material from Rome records prayers to saints on their feast days in January.
E06788Latin papyrus preserved in Monza (northern Italy) listing the 'oils of the holy martyrs who in body rest in Rome' brought from Rome for Theodelinda, queen of the Lombards, naming many Roman saints. Written at Monza or Rome, 590/604; preserved in its original copy.
E06912The Cymiteria totius Romanae urbis lists 17 cemeteries around the city of Rome, giving their original names and the name of a prominent saint (or saints) buried there. Presumably written in Rome, possibly in the 6th c.
E06992The De Locis Sanctis, a guide to the graves of the martyrs around Rome, lists those on the via Appia, south of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 642/683.
E07510Latin inscription commemorating the deposition of relics of the martyrs *Menas (soldier and martyr, buried at Abu Mena, S00073) and *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400) from a rural site at Henchir Fallous (Proconsularis, central North Africa). Later 6th or 7th century.
E07892The Itinerarium Malmesburiense, a guide to saints' graves around and within Rome, lists those outside the porta Appia on the via Appia, south of the city. Written in Latin in Rome, 642/683.
E08000The Latin Life of *Rusticula (abbess of Arles, ob. 627/632, S02433) describes how Rusticula dedicated a basilica in Arles (southern Gaul) first to the Cross, then to *Michael (the Archangel, S00181), and dedicated altars in a separate building to the Cross, and to the archangels *Gabriel and *Raphael (S00192, S00481), the Apostle *Thomas (S00199), and the martyrs *Sebastianus (martyr of Rome, S00400), *Mauricius (martyr of the Theban Legion, S00339), and *Pontius (martyr of Cimiez, S01486). Written in southern Gaul, c. 627/640.