Orthodox Icon of St. Sebastian

St. Sebastian COPYRIGHTED ART. Do not copy or deep-link to without prior permission from "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art.

December 18th
Troparion (Tone 1)
O Sebastian, thou didst spurn the gatherings of the wicked and bring together the illustrious martyrs who with thee cast down the enemy. Deemed worthy of the Divine Presence, thou dost gladden those who cry to thee: Glory to Him Who has strengthened thee; glory to Him Who has crowned thee; glory to Him Who through thee works healings for all.

Sebastian grew up in Milan, Italy. He became a soldier and Emperor Diocletian made him a captain. He secretly confessed the Christian faith and used his position to spare many Christians from execution. When he could not deliver them, he encouraged them not to deny the faith, but to endure for the sake of the Kingdom of God. He appeared to some as illumined like an angel. He was a wonderworker. He healed Zoe, the wife of the jailer Nicostratus, from six years of dumbness. He healed two sick sons of Claudius the Commander. He healed Tranquillianus the father of Marcus and Marcellinus. He brought all of their households to Baptism. He healed the Roman Eparch Chromatius and brought him and his son Tiburtius to Baptism. Zoe, Tiburtius, Nicostratus, Tranquillianus, Marcus and Marcellinus were all taken in turn, tortured and martyred. Then Sebastian was taken before Diocletian. Diocletian rebuked him for betraying him. Sebastian responded, saying, "I always pray to my Christ for your health, and for the peace of the Roman Empire." The Emperor ordered hime to be stripped and shot with arrows. They shot so many arrows into him, that they could not see his body beneath all of them. They assumed he was dead, but he stood up with all his wounds totally healed. Then they seized him and beat him to death with staves. He entered into the heavenly Kingdom in 287.

This icon is by the hand of Nick Papas of Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Order # inp-155