Sts. Fabian and Sebastian, January 20
Fabian, a layman chosen pope in 236 when a dove landed on his head, organized the Church of Rome before dying in the persecution of Decius in 250. Sebastian, an officer of the imperial guard, was shot with arrows for his faith around 288 and survived, then was killed. He is the patron of soldiers and athletes.
On the General Roman Calendar, January 20 is an optional memorial: Saint Fabian, pope and martyr, and Saint Sebastian, martyr.
Name days on January 20
In countries that keep name days, January 20 is the day for people named Sebastian and Fabian. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Sebastian | January 20 |
| Fabian | January 20 |
January 20 on the calendar
January 20 is the 20th day of the year, with 345 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | Thursday |
| 2029 | Saturday |
| 2030 | Sunday |
Keeping January 20
January 20 falls in winter. As an optional memorial, each parish or priest may choose whether to celebrate it. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Sebastian and Fabian, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around January 20
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| January 17 | St. Anthony the Abbot |
| January 18 | St. Margaret of Hungary |
| January 19 | St. Wulfstan |
| January 21 | St. Agnes |
| January 22 | St. Vincent of Saragossa |
| January 23 | St. Marianne Cope |
The day before, January 19, is the day of St. Wulfstan. The day after, January 21, belongs to St. Agnes. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.