Martyr Sebastian at Rome with his companions: Martyrs Nicostratus, his wife Zoe, Castorius, Tranquillinus the Presbyter and his sons the Deacons Marcellinus and Mark, Claudius, his son Symphorian and brother Victorinus, Tiburtius and Castulus

According to his Passion, written in Rome about the 5th century, Sebastian was an officer of the imperial guard under Diocletian who used his position to support Christians in prison. He encouraged the brothers Marcellinus and Mark, deacons awaiting execution, and their father, the priest Tranquillinus. The Passion tells that Zoe, wife of the official Nicostratus, who had lost her speech, began to speak when Sebastian prayed, and that her household, the jailer Claudius and others were baptized; one by one they were put to death.

Sebastian was shot with arrows and left for dead, but recovered and confronted the emperor, who had him beaten to death. He was buried in a catacomb on the Appian Way, c. 287 or 304.