POPE ST FABIAN, MARTYR, ST. SEBASTIAN, MARTYR, Jan. 20

POPE ST FABIAN, MARTYR

Fabian was Pope for 14 years. He maintained relations with Eastern Christians, and divided Rome into seven diaconates for the assistance of the poor. Pope Fabian was imprisoned during the Decian persecution and died in 250. He is buried in the catacombs of St Callixtus, and is honoured as a martyr.  Jan. 20

ST. SEBASTIAN, MARTYR

St. Sebastian was commonly invoked as a protector against the plague. According to historical records, he defended the city of Rome against the plague in 680. His association with the plague could be because he survived being shot full of arrows and in pagan belief, pestilence was delivered by arrows shot by the gods above.. Jan.20