St. Sebastian Parish at 311 Siebert Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 US - Saint Sebastian - Our Patron Saint

According to tradition, Saint Sebastian was born in the last quarter of the third century to a noble family in Narbone, in southern France. After studies in Milan, he went to Rome where despite his young age, he was appointed to the rank of Commander in the Praetorian Guard under the Emperor Diocletian. In 303, the Emperor began his persecution of Christians. Sebastian declared himself to be a follower of Christ and refused to worship pagan gods. He was condemned to death. Stripped of his regiment rank, he was bound to a tree and shot with arrows, by bowmen of his own company. Though wounded, Sebastian did not die but was rescued and nursed to health by the brave Christian woman Saint Irene. After his recovery, Sebastian placed his own life in jeopardy by appearing at Diocletian’s palace to plead for mercy for the victims of his persecution. For this, Sebastian was beaten to death with clubs and his body thrown into the sewer. His body was recovered and buried in one of the Roman catacombs, which now bears his name. Saint Sebastian was historically invoked against the black plague. He is known as the patron of arrow makers, athletes and soldiers. His feast and the parish’s patronal feast day is January 20th. The Saint Sebastian Chapel is located in the main Church. The central focus of the chapel is a leaded glass image of Sebastian, which was designed especially for the parish. The image of Sebastian shows him holding our parish church as a sign of his protection. Saint Sebastian is holding arrows and a club, the instruments of his martyrdom. He is looking toward the Cross of Christ to remind us that it is in the Cross that we find strength. In the upper right corner, there are three jewels which represent the Blessed Trinity. On the left side of the Chapel, there is a reliquary originally brought from Rome by Father Edward Bryce, a parish son. To the right of the Chapel is a plaque telling the story of Saint Sebastian.

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