LIPA CITY FIESTA

San Sebastian Cathedral Lipa City
Lipa City's Patron Saint Saint Sebastian, Patron Saint of Archers and Soldiers. Feast Day every 20th of January

Saint Sebastian Sebastian died a martyr in Rome, probably in AD 288. His tomb in the place named Ad Catacumbas on the Via Appia has been venerated at least as far back as the time of Saint Ambrose and probably had some connection to Milan.
Two hundred years after his death a legend sprang up about his life. According to this legend, Sebastian, a Christian, decided to go into the military during a time of persecution. This decision was not to save his own life, but in order to put himself in a position to comfort the martyrs, as he did with Mark and Michelian. As a member of the military, the ones who captured and guarded the persecuted Christians, he was in ideal place to stay with them, encourage them, and even alleviate their sufferings without anyone being suspicious or keeping him out.
He showed such aptitude, however, in the military life, that the emperor Diocletian made him a captain without ever guessing Sebastian was a Christian. As more and more Christians died, it was inevitable that Sebastian would be found out. Diocletian was furious at what he saw as a betrayal after all he had done for Sebastian. He ordered Sebastian to be shot by archers.
Irene a Christian, found Sebastian still alive and nursed him back to health. As soon as he could stand, Sebastian went looking for Diocletian. Sebastian didn't want revenge or a reprieve. He wanted to accuse Diocletian of all the cruelties he had committed. Diocletian had Sebastian beaten to death.
A Sebastian proconsul of Diocletian is also mentioned in connection with the legend of Santa Inocenza.
Sebastian is considered patron saint of archers and soldiers based on this legend.
His Feast Day is on January 20, according to both the New Roman Calendar [The Divine Office, London: Collins, 1974] and the Old Roman Calendar [Omar Engelbert, The Lives of the Saints, London: 1951].

January 20 yan ang piyesta ng Lipa. Nagkataong ito rin ang kapanganakan ng aking ina. Kayang tuwing piyesta ng Lipa naghahanda ang buong bayan kasabay ng birthday ng aking pinakamamahal na inay. Sa inyo Inay, MALIGAYANG KAARAWAN at sa aking mga kababayang Lipenyo HAPPY FIESTA! Kainan na.