We celebrate Saints Fabian and Sebastian on this January 20. Saint Sebastian was originary of Narbonne, in Gaule, lived, according to the Christian faith, in the third century. Fabian was a bishop of Roma from January 10, 236 to January 20,250, and the 20th pope of the catholic church.

Saint Sebastian

Although he is a strong believer, Sebastian was pointed centurion by the pagan emperors Diocletian and Maximilian Hercules,who are very fond of him.However, Sebastian embraces a military career only in order to share with him their christian faith.

 Meanwhile, the persecution against Christians intensifies and Sebastian is denounced by the prefect to the emperor Diocletian. Feeling betrayed, the sovereign condemns Sebastian to be tied to a post in the middle of the Champ de Mars before being pierced with arrows by his archers. "Covered with spikes like a hedgehog," Sebastian is then left for dead and abandoned. Cured of his wounds, Sebastian returns to the imperial palace a few days later. He then reproaches Diocletian and Maximian Hercules for their attitude towards the Christians. But far from repenting, the two rulers had him beaten with yardsticks until he died. His body was then thrown into the sewers to prevent the Christians from worshipping him. The following night, however, St. Sebastian appeared to St. Lucinia to reveal the whereabouts of his body. His body was then buried in Rome with the apostles Peter and Paul.

Saint Fabian

According to the tradition of the church,Fabian, a simple layman, was in Roma and one of the faithfull While attending the council to determine who Anterus’ successor would be, a dove suddenly appeared and descended upon the head of Fabian, the hesitant assembly cried out, "He is worthy!"He was ordained on January 10, 236.

This spontaneous election inaugurated a 14-year pontificate that would leave deep marks on the Church of the third century. The political quarrels between the ephemeral successors of Emperor Maximin I kept the persecution of Christians at bay for some time. This respite allowed Fabian to restore order to the Roman Church, which had been disrupted by many years of doctrinal conflict and the schism of Hippolytus of Rome.

Taking advantage of relative peace, he reveals great qualities as an administrator. He appointed seven deacons at the head of ecclesiastical districts created in Rome, each of which included two of the ancient regions of Roman administration - in the 16th century, the title of cardinal-deacon was born.

Fabian also took great care to ensure the proper upkeep of the catacombs where he had one of his predecessors, Pontius, and his opponent, Hippolytus, buried. He protects the future schismatic Novatian, whom he baptizes and ordains a priest against the advice of his clergy. He energetically pursues clerics guilty of various faults, in particular Privat, an African bishop. The drafting of the acts of martyrdom, begun under Apostle Paul, continued under his pontificate. Fabian is considered the apostle of the Gauls, where he sends seven missionary bishops.

At the end of 249, the new Emperor Decius unleashed violent persecutions against Christians. At the beginning of 250, on January 20, Fabian is tortured and beheaded on the Via Appia Antica. He is buried in the crypt of the Popes in the Catacomb of Saint Calixtus where his sarcophagus was found in 1915.