Saint Sebastian
Patron of Athletes and Body Piercers
but most especially all who remember Matthew Shepard.
Feast Day: January 20
Sebastian’s story took place long ago. He originally hid his true Christian identity from Emperor Diocletian in order to serve as a soldier in the Army. It was as a soldier that Sebastian discovered he possessed healing qualities. Many went to him seeking comfort. He secretly baptized soldiers and civilians into Christianity during his travels. Sebastian eventually “came out” and revealed his Christianity to Diocletian, who then ordered Sebastian put to death by a firing squad of archers. All because he was different! The archers’ arrows pierced Sebastian and he was left to die. He miraculously survived after a widow named Irene came to his rescue and nursed him back to health. After he recovered, he was no longer “closeted.” Sebastian would not and could not hide his true Christian identity any longer. Sebastian went to confront Emperor Diocletian. Sebastian spoke up for his beliefs and criticized Diocletian for hating diversity. The Emperor then ordered his followers to tie Sebastian to a tree and beat him to death with clubs, which they did. Sebastian was brutally murdered and his body thrown in a sewer. Later, in the 15th Century, Renaissance artists began painting Sebastian as a nearly nude, handsome, young athlete, tied to a tree and pierced with arrows. The paintings remain extremely popular. Our medal shows Sebastian tied to a tree and pierced with arrows. Clearly, Sebastian’s life and death parallels the life and death of Matthew Shepard who was also murdered, only much more recently. Because he was different like Saint Sebastian. @2003
5866 General Diaz Street
New Orleans, LA 70124
504.482.2467 & 504.239.3143
Wear this medal and then
share it with someone you love
Each SfS medal is imported from Italy,
painted by hand in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is
one of a kind original
“The Saints are the Sinners who keep on trying”
-Robert Louis Stevenson
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Sebastian
Sebastian, Hand-Painted Medal, Patron of Athletes, Victories & Good Sportsmanship
Saints for Sinners$29.95
Sebastian #2, Hand-Painted Medal, Patron of Athletes, Victories & Good Sportsmanship
Saints for Sinners$29.95