Commemorated September 16 (New Calendar) September 29 (Old Calendar)

Saint Sebastiana lived in the reign of the emperor Domitian (81–96). She was a disciple of the Apostle Paul. The governor George seized her in Marcianopolis. They beat her and threw her into a burning furnace; she came out unharmed. They took her to Heraclea, hung her on a tree, and threw her to the beasts; she was kept again. At last they cut off her head with a sword. Milk flowed instead of blood. Angels carried her body to Rhaedestus.

The short memory in St. Demetrius of Rostov records her contest. It does not preserve her spoken words.

Who stood with her

The Apostle Paul taught her. George judged her in Marcianopolis. Pompian judged her again in Heraclea. No other companions are named in this reading.

She learned Christ from an apostle and would not give Him up when two cities tried to break her.

We ask her prayers when we must keep a faith we received from others, and when pain is used to make us deny it.

Pray for us

Troparion, Tone 4
“Your lamb Sebastiana calls out to You, O Jesus, in a loud voice:
‘I love You, my Bridegroom, and in seeking You I endure suffering.
In baptism I was crucified so that I might reign in You,
and I died so that I might live with You.
Accept me as a pure sacrifice, for I have offered myself in love.’
Through her prayers save our souls, since You are merciful.”

Saint Sebastiana, pray for us.

Sources

St. Demetrius of Rostov, Lives of the Saints, September 16.
https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Dmitrij_Rostovskij/zhitija-svjatykh/791

Orthodox Church in America, Saint Sebastiana the Martyr, disciple of Saint Paul the Apostle, at Heraclea.
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2023/09/16/102628-saint-sebastiana-the-martyr-disciple-of-saint-paul-the-apostle-a

This site is a lamp, not a parish. Listen to the life. Then find a living Orthodox church and ask a priest to pastor you.
https://pieceofhumanity.com/find-a-church/