How did Sebastian become the gay saint?

Answer 1

St. Sebastian, or San Sebastián is the patron saint of archers, soldiers, athletes, the dying, enemies of religion, the plague and others. Although the Catholic church does not authenticate his history, legend, from a story that began two centuries after his death, has it that Sebastian was a noble Roman in the Imperial Guard under Emperor Diocletian. Converted to Christianity, Sebastian was in a difficult position. He was reputed to heal by making the sign of the cross over the ill and dying, and did what he could to alleviate the suffering of Christians whom Diocletian intended to exterminate.

When he was found out, Sebastian was arrested and sentenced to death. Pierced by multiple arrows, he was left to die, still tied to a tree. Irene, a fellow Christian and the widow of St. Castulus, found Sebastian still alive and nursed him back to health.

Instead of hiding his recovery and leaving Rome as soon as he was recovered, Sebastian went back to court to accuse Diocletian of all the cruelties of his actions. This time, taking no chances, Diocletian had Sebastian beaten to death. The date of his death was probably in AD 288. He was buried in the Ad Catacumbas on the Via Appia.

During the Middle Ages and the Renaisssance, Saint Sebastian was depicted in numerous paintings, such as Saint Sebastian Tended by an Angel and illuminated manuscripts such as this depiction of St. Sebastian, in a medieval Book of the Hours. With plagues decimating the population of Europe, he was a popular saint for his reputation of protection against the dreaded disease.

Answer 2

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