Adrian and Natalia

Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia.

Sts. Adrian and Natalia were a married couple of Nicomedia in the time of the persecution of Maximian, at the beginning of the fourth century. Adrian, an imperial official, was so moved by the courage of imprisoned Christians that he confessed Christ and was enrolled among them; his young wife Natalia, secretly a Christian, strengthened him in prison and stood by him through his tortures and martyrdom.

Natalia afterward guarded his memory faithfully and reposed in peace, counted among the confessors. They are commemorated together on August 26 as an image of marriage sanctified by faith.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Adrian and Natalia is commemorated on August 26. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on September 8 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Adrianos, Adrian, Natalia, Natalja, Natasha

Also commemorated on August 26

• Joasaph of India

  Venerable, Ιωάσαφ

  Venerable Joasaph, son of King Abenner of India.

• Tithoes the Ascetic

  Venerable, Τιθόης

  Venerable Tithoes, ascetic of Egypt.

• Attikos and Sisinios

  Martyr, Αττικός και Σισίνιος

  Holy Martyrs Attikos and Sisinios.

• Maria of Diveyevo

  Holy Woman, Μαρία του Ντιβέεβο

  Blessed Maria Ivanovna of Diveyevo, Fool-for-Christ.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.