Holy Martyr Sebastiana (†81–96) — September 16 / September 29 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, September 16 according to the Julian Calendar (September 29 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Sebastiana.

The holy Martyr Sebastiana was a disciple of the Apostle Paul. During the persecution of the faithful under Emperor Domitian (81–96), she was brought before the tribunal of the governor George in the city of Marcianopolis, in the province of Moesia. For her courageous confession of Christ the saint was mercilessly beaten and thrown onto a burning pyre, but through her prayer the fire was quenched. Sebastiana was then sent to the city of Heraclea, tried a second time and thrown to wild beasts to be torn apart, yet the Lord again protected His chosen one — the beasts would not even touch her. At last, by order of the governor, Sebastiana was beheaded.

The saint’s body, cast into the sea, was carried by angels to the island of Rhodes (in Thrace, in the Sea of Marmara).