ST SEBASTIAN THE MARTY
St Sebastian the Martyr (Feast Day: December 18th) studied in Milan and entered the military to assist Christians. Due to his courage, he became a praetorian guard, but Diocletian did not know he was a Christian. When Diocletian found out about St Sebastian’s Christian faith, he had the martyr shot with arrows, but that did not kill him. Later St Sebastian spoke out against Diocletian for his cruelties, and this time Diocletian had the martyr beaten until he was dead.
LOCATION
St Sebastian’s relics are located in San Sebastian fuori le mura (Outside the Walls) in Rome Italy.
The Church is easy to find because it is close to the Catacombe San Callistos and the Catacombs of San Sebastiano, which are under the Church itself, but the Catacombs are rather far and you either have to take a bus there or walk there (like I did), and that will take all morning to do.
You can take Bus # 218 from San Giovanni Metro Station (Red line A) or Bus #660 from Colli Albani Metro Station (Red line A) or Bus #118 from Colosseo Metro Station (Blue line B).
Once you enter the Church, St Sebastian’s relics will be on the left side.
On the opposite side of the relics you will find another reliquary containing the column and arrows used in St. Sebastian’s martyrdom.
When I arrived at this area the Catacombs were closed, so I ended up making two trips. If you wish to take a tour of the Catacombs remember that it is open 10am – 5pm (the last entrance is at 4:30pm).
You may also want to take a stroll down the Appian way (a famous Roman road), which is right outside the Church and Catacomb area.
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