Saint Adrian
He was a very rich and noble man. He lived in Nicomedia in the fourth century and held an important position under the emperor. Adrian was the chief judge in the city. From childhood he was a convinced pagan.
In those years, Emperor Maximian returned victorious from the war and held a great feast. As befits pagans, he ordered sacrifices to be made to the gods as a sign of gratitude. After this, the priests sprinkled all those present with blood sacrificed to idols. But just at this time a terrible thunderstorm suddenly broke out. Maximian did not think that this could be God’s admonition, but decided that Christians were bringing “damage” to them.
In retaliation, the emperor ordered twenty thousand Christians to be burned alive in churches on Christmas Day. After this, he did not calm down, but began to persecute all the surviving Christians. He caught and ordered the killing of two dozen believers. The emperor entrusted their interrogation to the chief judge, Adrian.
All martyrs passed through the hands of Hadrian . He talked with them for a long time, and suddenly a miracle happened: the Lord softened the heart of an inveterate pagan, and he suddenly believed in Christ. After he fearlessly declared himself a Christian, the wrath of the emperor fell upon him. He ordered Adrian to be imprisoned.
Saint Natalia
Natalia was from a noble and wealthy family. She secretly believed in Christ. She was married to the pagan Adrian. The saint visited prisons where Christians were kept, prayed a lot, and did works of mercy. What upset her most was that her husband persisted in his unbelief and worshiped idols. She prayed for his understanding.
When Natalia found out that her husband had suddenly believed in Christ and was sitting in prison, she immediately rushed to him. She rejoiced and thanked God for this miracle, and persuaded her husband not to change his mind, not to weaken in his intention to suffer for Christ.
Before his execution, Adrian was released home; the emperor hoped that he would change his mind and declare his faith in Christ erroneous. When Adrian came home, Natalia was afraid to let him in, thinking that he had changed his mind and renounced Christ. But when I found out the truth, I let her in.
Martyrs Adrian and Natalia
Kontakion 1
The chosen servant of God and the all-praised martyr of Christ, who despised all the vanity of this world for the sake of love for Christ, the Son of God, and laid down her life as an immaculate and pure sacrifice, moreover desiring to accept torture and death, rather than denying the true God, we praise you with love, holy Adrian and Natalia! But you, standing in joy before the Throne of the Glory of the Lord and enjoying the sight of Him, pray for us sinners who flow to you with faith and reverence, and let us cry out to you in gratitude:
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Ikos 1
With angelic love for the Lord, burning with love, you unceasingly sent out fervent prayers to God your Savior, O all-blessed Natalia, may the ray of His grace enlighten the darkened heart of your spouse and turn it to the knowledge of Him, your Creator and Lord, until the King of kings has heard your tearful petitions and touched your heart Adrianova, and your husband of faith, with all his soul, and with a cheerful heart, endured the most severe torments, and accepted death itself for Christ without fear. Also, reverently amazed at your love for Christ and zeal for God, we joyfully cry to you:
Rejoice, all-bright lamps, burning with Divine love;
Rejoice, pillars of steadfastness against the bitterness of the wicked idolaters.
Rejoice, having borne the Cross of Christ with patience and devotion;
Rejoice, for this holy victory is a sign of having defeated the devil and his wiles.
Rejoice, you who have received incorruptible crowns and received glory from the Lord for your wedding;
Rejoice, for now in Heaven you stand before the Almighty Throne and pray for us sinners.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 2
Seeing the Lord the purity of your heart, all-honorable Adrian, even if darkened by the darkness of polytheism, but still ready to accept the Truth, deign to call you into His wonderful light and open to you the doors of His Kingdom, through the prayers of your holy wife, with joy you cried out to the Triune God who enlightened you soul, song of praise: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The mind of true knowledge of God suddenly embraced your soul, Adrian, when, at the command of the Tsarev, you wrote down with other notaries the names of the holy martyrs who were known to suffer and die for the name of Christ, when you asked the servants of the Lord what reward they would receive from the Lord in His Kingdom For all the torment, you answered that it is impossible for a mortal tongue to utter and a weak mind to comprehend what God has prepared for those who love Him. But you, having abandoned all idolatry of evil, you rushed to Christ with all your heart and cried out boldly: “And I am a Christian!” In honor of your appeal to the true Sun of Truth, we pray that you, together with your spouse, Saint Natalia, receive from us, sinners, the praises of the titan:
Rejoice, holy servant of the true God;
Rejoice, doer of the will of zeal.
Rejoice, for all the red and sweet things of this world were despised by nature for the sake of Christ;
Rejoice, for you have offered earthly love and marital happiness as a sacrifice to your Lover.
Rejoice, you who teach us not to cleave to earthly goods, but to ascend in spirit to God;
Rejoice, you who enlighten our weakness and ascend the ladder of the shrine who help us.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 3
Strengthened by the power from above, you marched, blessedly, courageously to the task set before you, thirsting to die for your beloved Savior and God. Your spouse, Saint Natalia, with prayers and admonitions helped you to lift the cross sent to you from the Lord, and accept the crown of incorruptibility prepared for you in Heaven, and boldly sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Having gone to the lawless court of Maximian, you were shut up in a dark prison, where you spent the whole night with other holy martyrs in prayers, chants and spiritual conversations. Your loving spouse, having despised the weakness of women and the natural love of the flesh, imputed nothing to anything, in every possible way convincing you not to deviate from the faith of Christ, but to the end remain an unshakable confessor of the name of Jesus and not be afraid of death. Moreover, as a true warrior of Christ, we cry to you in spiritual joy:
Rejoice, you who are zealous for orthodoxy;
Rejoice, fearless denouncer of evil.
Rejoice, having put on patience like strong armor;
Rejoice, the Cross of Christ is like an invincible weapon in your hand.
Rejoice, for you surprised the lawless tormentors with your supernatural courage;
Rejoice, for by you the name of God has been glorified.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 4
Driving away the storm of cowardice and fear from your heart, glorious Adrian, and strengthening you for the upcoming martyrdom, your blessed wife Natalia did not stop talking to you all night about the wonderful and great reward that God has prepared for those who lay down their lives for Him, and this is what she told you. : “Blessed are you, my lord, for you have found a priceless treasure, precious beads - Christ your Lord! Do not retreat again into the darkness of idols, but always remain faithful to Him who loved you, crying out to Him with all your heart: Alleluia.”
Ikos 4
Hearing Saint Natalia, sitting in her house, as if you were coming to her from prison, and thinking that you were afraid of torment and rejected Christ, weeping bitterly and, coming to you from the door of the house, began to reproach you because you had departed from the faith of Christ. But you, rejoicing in spirit and even more strengthened for suffering, told her with tears that not only did you not depart from Christ, but you were even more willing to suffer for His Holy Name. Wondering at such heights of Christian love, we cry out to you with tenderness:
Rejoice, you have revealed the true image of Christian marriage;
Rejoice, having truly shown heavenly love in yourself.
Rejoice, for you who inspired the feat of self-sacrifice of Christ for our sake;
Rejoice, all the red of this transitory world, who teach us to despise.
Rejoice, you who have left this world and soar in spirit to those who exhort us on high;
Rejoice, in all those who are with us, they see the will of God and help us.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 5
Showing wonderful mercy and love, O Natalia, you fell at the feet of the prisoners, in prison together with your husband for the name of Christ, and you kissed their sacred sores, wiped away their pus, bringing relief and joy to them in every possible way and in heartfelt tenderness to God An angelic song cries out to heaven: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen the wicked tormentor, the holy prisoners, locked in prison with you, having reached exhaustion from their wounds, as if they were by no means strong enough to endure the most severe torment, he commanded the only one, Adriana, to bring you before his judgment and in every possible way admonished you to deny Christ, frightening you with the torments that were to come. Moreover, strengthened above and consoled by your blessed wife, you remained strong, like adamant, against the temptation of the enemy. For this reason, your suffering for Christ is pleasing in love, and your holy spouse is magnifying, we joyfully cry to you:
Rejoice, victorious servant of the Most High God;
Rejoice, confessor of the faith of Christ.
Rejoice, the idolatrous charms of boldness;
Rejoice, undaunted preachers of the glory of God.
Rejoice, you who were not afraid of Maximian’s wrath;
Rejoice, you who imputed his rage to nothing.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 6
You appeared as a great-voiced preacher, Adrian, when, standing before the Tsar's judgment, you fearlessly confessed Christ to be the true God who created heaven and earth, but you exposed the delusion of idols, and for this confession and reproof you took the most severe beating, crying out to your hero: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
The light of the glory of Heaven shines upon your face, wise and suffering, always beaten in the womb, as if your womb was poured out from cruel blows, you did not cease to glorify Christ and confess His Holy Name before all the people. Blessed Natalia, rejoicing in spirit, seeing your patience and courage, and strengthening you in prayer, may your soul not faint and may you remain a faithful servant of Christ to the end, to whom we, sinners, sing with you:
Rejoice, sacred dwelling of the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice, glorious receptacle of the grace of Christ.
Rejoice, being illuminated mentally and physically by the Divine light;
Rejoice, enlightened from above by Christ the King.
Rejoice, being strengthened by the power of His Divinity;
Rejoice, you who fearlessly marched towards the feat of suffering.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 7
Although the wicked king again called you to the judgment, glorious Hadrian, shut you up in prison with the other holy martyrs, where Saint Natalia came to you and began to please and strengthen your patience, saying: “Blessed are you, my lord, for you have been worthy of a part of the saints martyrs of Christ! With great rejoicing, you cried out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
The evil tormentor, concocting a new plot, ordered his howls not to let the wives into prison among the prisoners, who come from the city to console and relieve the sufferers of Christ. Then you, Saint Natalia, are forbidden to see your husband and serve him; Otherwise, you neglected the king’s command, you came to prison in a man’s attire, and as before you strengthened your holy husband, so that he might courageously come to torment and death for Christ the Lord. For this reason, we worthily praise you together with your holy husband and cry out to you:
Rejoice, bright adornment of the servants of Christ;
Rejoice, glorious glory to the confessors of the name of Jesus.
Rejoice, you who love the narrow path and show it to us;
Rejoice, for through this quiet refuge, the Kingdom of Christ, you have reached.
Rejoice, for now you abide in endless glory and bliss;
Rejoice, for through your prayers you save us from troubles and misfortunes.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 8
A strange and wonderful thing was visible in the prison where you were imprisoned, Adrian, with the other sufferers of Christ, when, at the command of the formidable tormentor, you crushed your legs. Then, for your holy wife herself will lift up your noses and place them on the anvil, so that they may escape from the torment of torment, and you will quickly unite with your Lord, singing to Him unceasingly: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
All burning with love for Christ, martyr Adrian, you remained in patience until your most blessed death, when your pure soul was united with your Lord, for His name you suffered so much, as your hand was cut off. Honoring your martyrdom, we cry out to you and Saint Natalia with faith:
Rejoice, you who have endured mental and physical anguish for Christ;
Rejoice, you who flew to God with the wings of heavenly love.
Rejoice, like eagles, soaring to the Sun of Truth;
Rejoice, having risen to the Unevening Light from the vale of tears.
Rejoice, you who have found your place in the host of saints;
Rejoice, together with all the saints in Heaven, singing a wonderful song to God.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 9
All the pride of the inhuman tormentor was quickly put to shame, when the heavy rain extinguished the fiery flame and did not allow the honorable remains of the holy martyrs of Christ to burn, and the entire city was drowned by water, and the people of wickedness were terrified by thunder and lightning. But you, blessed Natalia, sang in joy to Christ, who arranges everything in good order: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The flurry of earthly praises does not suffice for the praise of your exploits, holy martyrs of Christ Adrian and Natalia, for you have neglected the temporal glory and greatness of the earth, forsake all and lay down your soul for faith in Christ, but having overcome the natural weakness of women, you have struggled courageously and strengthened her husband in his torment and rejoicing at his blessed death. While your deeds are worthy of praise, we bewilderedly cry out to you with love:
Rejoice, having raised the Cross of Christ on the frame with a cheerful heart;
Rejoice, you did not faint under its weight.
Rejoice, former imitators of Christ’s passion;
Rejoice, having crucified your flesh with its passions and lusts.
Rejoice, you who have shown the image of love and meekness in yourself;
Rejoice, having taught us to bear each other’s burdens.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 10
To save the bodies of the holy martyrs from desecration and dishonor, a certain pious man and his wife came to Saint Natalia and other Christian brethren, asking them to deign to take the holy relics with him to Byzantium and place them there honestly until the time when the wicked Maximian died . The Christians of the city of Nicomedia consented to the request of this man and entrusted him with a valuable treasure, joyfully crying out to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
As if we are protected by a wall with your holy prayers, Saints Adrian and Natalia, you always help us in all our troubles and misfortunes, especially when we celebrate your memory with love and glorify Christ our God for you. Preserved by your warm prayers for us, we truly praise you for these titles:
Rejoice, for our constant prayer to God;
Rejoice, our helpers have burning warmth and love for us.
Rejoice, our speedy intercessors and mentors;
Rejoice, our teachers, who teach us to live pleasingly to God.
Rejoice, our loving friends, who condescend to our weaknesses;
Rejoice, you who raise us to the heights of virgin purity and passionlessness.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 11
You offered singing to God with all your heart, blessed Natalia, when you delivered you from the hand of the tribune, who wanted you as his wife. You, like the faithful wife of the martyr of Christ Adrian, did not want to commit a second attempt on your husband’s behalf, and you fled with prayer, boarding a ship, to Byzantium, where the body of your holy husband was laid to rest. Having reached this city, you cried out to the Lord God with love: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
A bright lamp, a ship appeared, on which you sailed through the depths of the sea, having with you valuable beads, the hand of your holy husband, whose prayers escaped the persecution of the tribune, you reached Byzantium unharmed and, kissing the body of your blessed master with a joyful soul, in spiritual tenderness your soul in You have betrayed the hand of the Lord. How majestic is your departure to the Lord together with Saint Adrian, we sing to you:
Rejoice, blessed spouses who lived on earth in love and were not separated after death;
Rejoice, close friends of the Lord, who dwell at His Throne.
Rejoice, you who enjoy the sight of His all-light;
Rejoice, you who fully taste eternal bliss.
Rejoice, having found peace in the villages of the righteous;
Rejoice, you have left your holy relics for us on earth for healing.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 12
The grace-filled vessels revealed your honest relics, given to us by Christ God, to whom the holy martyrs of Christ diligently flow, the resolution of sins through your prayers is acceptable, crying out to God with all your heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your honest suffering and blessed death, which you ascended to Gornaya, to all the saints who have pleased God from the ages, we praise you, the all-glorious martyr of Christ, Adriana and Natalia, and we earnestly pray to unceasingly remember us at the Throne of Glory, who please you:
Rejoice, martyrs, glorious and valiant warriors of Christ;
Rejoice, invincible passion-bearers and victorious glory-bearers.
Rejoice, great champions of the true faith;
Rejoice, lamp of unquenchable virtues.
Rejoice, coals, burning with Divine love;
Rejoice, crowned ones, in the heavenly blessings of Christ’s wedding.
Rejoice, Saints Adrian and Natalia, all-validated martyrs of Christ and invincible sufferers!
Kontakion 13
Oh, holy martyrs of Christ, Adrian and Natalia! Hear us fervently praying to you and flowing into your temple, and pray to the merciful Master of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us peace and health of souls and bodies, and to save our souls, so that we may sing to Him: Alleluia.
(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)
Prayer
Oh, sacred duo, holy martyrs of Christ, Adrian and Natalia, blessed spouses and good sufferers! Hear us, praying to you with tears, and send down upon us all that is good for our souls and bodies, and pray to Christ God to have mercy on us and to deal with us according to His mercy, so that we do not perish in our sins! To her, holy martyrs, accept the voice of our prayer and deliver us with your prayers from famine, destruction, cowardice, flood, fire, hail, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from vain death and from all troubles, sorrows and diseases, may I endure, We are strengthened by your prayers and intercession, let us glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, together with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
The Torment of Saint Adrian
The pious wife spent the whole night persuading her husband not to be afraid of death, because he would receive a great reward, more expensive than which there is nothing in the world. She prayed with him for strength. The next morning it was announced that the knees of Christians would be broken. Natalia asked the executioners to start with her husband, fearing that he would be afraid when he saw the suffering of other people.
When his knees were broken, Natalia was not only there and supported her husband, she herself held his legs. Then his wife put Adrian’s hand under the hammer. She kept the severed right hand as a keepsake.
When Adrian died from agony, his body, along with other martyrs, was taken to an unknown destination to be burned. Therefore, Natalia was unable to bury her husband’s remains. But she placed his right hand at home in a special ark and prayed day and night for her husband.
Strength and Spirit
In vain did the emperor, at first considering his official insane, demand that he remove his name from the list of those executed; I waited in vain for a plea for forgiveness from him. Adrian stood his ground, repeating publicly that he had not lost his mind, but was acting according to his own convictions - now he also believed in Christ.
Then he was thrown into prison and threatened with torture and painful death. According to some reports, at that time Adrian was 28 years old.
On the day of execution, Adrian and other condemned Christians were subjected to terrible torture and torment, and then to a painful death: their arms and legs were broken on an anvil with a heavy hammer. Natalia, having changed her appearance, was next to him and with her touches encouraged her husband and strengthened him until he gave up the ghost.
Before Adrian's death, his wife, fearing that she might be forced to remarry, asked him to pray to prevent this. And so it happened: in a dream, Saint Adrian appeared to her and said that the Lord would soon call Natalia, after which the young woman died near the tomb of her husband.
The further fate of Natalia
It soon became known that the rich and beautiful Natalia remained a widow. Suitors began to woo her, but she refused everyone. Two years later, the emperor gave the order to the military commander to marry Natalia. Then she took with her the ark with her husband’s right hand and secretly fled from the city.
Natalia boarded the ship and set sail from Nicomedia. The military commander began to pursue her on another ship. Then she began to earnestly ask God and her husband to save her. Suddenly a strong storm broke out, and the ship with those pursuing her was forced to return.
And Natalia suddenly saw her husband in a ray of light from the sky. She realized that he was in the Kingdom of Heaven, and thanked God for saving her and her husband.
Natalia wandered around Bithynia for a long time. She soon found out where Adrian's relics were. It turns out that the bodies of the martyrs were not burned then. In terrible excitement and joy, she found the relics of the holy man and united with them the right hand that she had in the ark. The women's strength had dried up from everything they had endured. She lay down on the relics of her husband and gave up her soul to God.
The meaning of the name Natalya
Natalya, Natasha, Natasha Rostova is the favorite heroine of Leo Nikolaevich Tolstoy. In this image, he merged into one the charm and charm of youth, sensitivity and ardor, the ability to live life to the fullest, inner beauty, through which the harmony of human nature is achieved. With the light hand of the writer, the image of Natasha became the ideal of a woman. Following this, the popularity of the name Natalia increased sharply. Of course, the name Natalya was known earlier; it was especially loved in noble families. And in this sense, it is no coincidence that Tolstoy uses it in the novel.
The name Natalya is Late Latin in origin. It is part of the phrase “Nativity of the Lord” - “Natalis Domini”. The adjective “natalis” itself is usually translated as “Christmas” or “pertaining to birth.”
By the way, in Italy Christmas is called Natale. This name is very popular in Europe, although its sound is somewhat different. So among the British, Germans and French - this is Natalie. And the diminutive forms of the name sound like Netty, Nata and Nana. But the Spaniards, Portuguese, Italians, Hungarians, Romanians and Greeks still retain the Natalia we know. It was this church form of the name that was popular in Russia until the October Revolution.
Veneration of the saints
Natalia is considered a bloodless martyr, just like Sophia, the mother of the holy martyrs Faith, Nadezhda and Lyubov . Natalia did not shed blood, but suffered terrible mental torment that led her to death.
Natalia and Hadrian began to be considered saints already in the fifth century . Bishop Mitrofan built a temple in Constantinople where the relics of the martyrs were kept. Then an akathist to the saints was written. In the seventh century, their relics were transferred to Rome. Now they are in Milan in the Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore.
Saints Adrian and Natalia are considered the patron saints of marriage. Their memory is September 8 .
prot. Andrey Tkachev about Saints Adrian and Natalia
