Martin Scorsese presents St. Sebastian's tale of unwavering faith and martyrdom on Fox Nation.

In third century Rome, Sebastian was discovered to be a Christian and was subsequently martyred.

Martin Scorsese presents St. Sebastian's tale of unwavering faith and martyrdom on Fox Nation.
Martin Scorsese presents St. Sebastian's tale of unwavering faith and martyrdom on Fox Nation.

For centuries, St. Sebastian, an early Christian martyr, has been celebrated and revered due to his life story.

St. Sebastian's story of deep faith in the face of persecution has been inspiring Christians ever since his martyrdom at the order of the Roman emperor Diocletian, and he was referred to as a saint long before the official canonization process was established.

The latest installment of Martin Scorsese's "The Saints," streaming now on Fox Nation, focuses on the patron saint of athletes and soldiers.

Scorsese narrates that the tales of the early saints were passed down from person to person and eventually transformed into legends, which is the point where historical accuracy fades into spiritual truth.

St. Sebastian has been revered as a prototype and supreme example of unwavering faith since his martyrdom.

A shot of St. Sebastian kneeling in a courtyard.
St. Sebastian, a third-century martyr, is seen here in the latest episode of "The Saints."  (Fox Nation)

The episode transports viewers to third century Rome, where Christians were facing severe persecution at the hands of Roman emperor Diocletian.

Scorsese stated that Diocletian aimed to restore the splendor of the Pax Romana era and revive Rome's greatness.

Diocletian reinstated Rome's pagan religion, including a pantheon of gods.

Diocletian, previously noted by Scorsese, had tolerated Christian beliefs but later reverted to the old ways of ruling by divine right of the Roman gods, making anyone who refused to worship them a threat to his power.

At the time, Sebastian commanded the Praetorian Guard, an elite group of soldiers tasked with protecting the emperor. However, he kept a secret: he was a Christian.

The conversion of Nicostratus.
Sebastian (second from right) convinced Nicostratus (second from left) to let him talk to Marcellus and Marcellianus in private in this scene from "The Saints."  (Fox Nation)

The twin brothers and deacons, Marcellus and Marcellianus, were imprisoned after being captured.

If they sacrificed to the Roman gods, they would be freed from punishment.

Tranquillinus and Martia, the parents of the boys, are not Christians. They were previously unaware of their sons' faiths, and now they urge their sons to make sacrifices.

Sebastian requests a private meeting with Marcellus and Marcellianus, and discloses to the brothers that he is also a Christian, urging them to maintain their religious commitment.

"Sebastian inquires, 'Brother, do you not believe?' To which he replies, 'If you do not believe, then you must understand that we are accountable only to the one true God, and not to our ancestors, elders, father, or mother - to God alone.'"

As Sebastian advises the brothers, following God is the "only path to salvation." Despite the persecution and potential harm they may face, their persecutors "cannot harm your soul."

St. Sebastian showed the fish sign as a symbol of his faith.
Sebastian showed Marcellus and Marcellianus his fish symbol, revealing himself as a Christian, in this scene from "The Saints."  (Fox Nation)

Sebastian's message to Marcellus and Marcellianus is overheard by Nicostratus, who then confronts them before collapsing to his knees, overwhelmed by emotion.

"Scorsese exclaimed, "It was inconceivable, impossible," as he learned that Nicostratus, the fear of all Roman Christians, had converted to Christianity. He released all his prisoners and baptized his entire household."

Sebastian was the secret heart of the dramatic, mass conversions that were happening throughout Rome, said Scorsese.

However, Nicostratus, Marcellus, and Marcellianus would soon be martyred, and Sebastian's Christianity would be discovered.

Statue of St. Sebastian in front of paintings of St. Sebastian.
St. Sebastian is often portrayed as pierced by arrows. (Juan Naharro Gimenez/Getty Images)

Sebastian, like his fellow Christians, would face the same fate, but he would not surrender quietly.

The lives and legacies of saints, including Sebastian, are portrayed in "The Saints," highlighting their tenacity, courage, and righteousness in the face of adversity.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit planetchronicle.net/lifestyle

Scorsese and his team journeyed over 2,000 years of history to explore the lives of eight extraordinary figures, including Joan of Arc, John the Baptist, Sebastian, Maximilian Kolbe, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Becket, Mary Magdalene, and Moses the Black, and their extreme acts of kindness, selflessness, and sacrifice.

Sign up for Fox Nation and start streaming "The Saints" series with a 3-month free trial using the promo code "SAINTS."

by Christine Rousselle

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