Two theologians with a strong historical and systematic background, combined with a rich imaginative sensibility, explore the figure of St. Sebastian and his enduring influence within and beyond the Christian tradition. Bringing together hagiography, iconography, and theological ethics, this book shows how religious thought is shaped by - and continues to respond to - the deepest anxieties and hopes of the human heart. Reading it offers insight into the unfolding meaning of our own life stories and destinies.

Antonio Autiero, University of Münster

From historical obscurity to globally recognisable icon, St Sebastian has been reimagined and reappropriated in every era. In this fascinating study, Höllinger and Goertz trace the shifting religious and cultural understandings and the enduring significance of Sebastian, from the piety and devotionalism of Church history to the semiotic fluidity of our contemporary era.

Julie Clague, University of Glasgow