Ardalion the Actor

Holy Martyr Ardalion the Actor, who confessed Christ upon the stage.

Ardalion was a mime who, during a performance mocking the Christian martyrs, was suddenly moved by grace and declared before the theatre that he truly believed in Christ. The audience thought it part of the play until he repeated his confession in earnest.

He was burned alive in the persecution of the early fourth century.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Ardalion the Actor is commemorated on April 14. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 27 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on April 14

• 

  Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome

  Hierarch, Μαρτίνος

  Hieromartyr Martin the Confessor, Pope of Rome.

  Name days: Martin, Martinos

• Thomais of Alexandria

  Holy Woman, Θωμαΐς

  Holy Martyr Thomais of Alexandria, who died defending her chastity.

  Name days: Thomais, Thomai

• Demetrios the Peloponnesian

  Martyr, Δημήτριος ο Πελοποννήσιος

  Holy New Martyr Demetrios the Peloponnesian, beheaded at Tripolitsa.

• Anthony, John and Eustathius of Vilnius

  Martyr, Αντώνιος, Ιωάννης και Ευστάθιος

  Holy Martyrs Anthony, John and Eustathius of Vilnius, hanged for Christ in pagan Lithuania.

• Christodoulos and Anastasia of Achaia

  Saint, Χριστόδουλος και Αναστασία

  Holy New Martyrs Christodoulos and Anastasia, and those with them, who suffered in the Peloponnese.

• Monk-Martyrs of Daou Penteli

  Saint, Οσιομάρτυρες Νταού Πεντέλης

  The Holy 179 Monk-Martyrs of the Monastery of Daou Penteli in Attica.