Ariadne

Holy Martyr Ariadne.

St. Ariadne was a Christian servant in Phrygia in the early centuries of the Church. When she refused to take part in the pagan festivities of her master's household, she was punished for her faith and pursued when she fled. Tradition relates that as her persecutors closed upon her she prayed, and a rock opened to receive her, taking her beyond their reach into the hands of God.

The Church honors her as a martyr in will and deed, a lowly servant whose faithfulness shamed the powerful. She is commemorated on April 17.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Ariadne is commemorated on April 17. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on April 30 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

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

Ariadne, Ariadni

Also commemorated on April 17

• Simeon of Persia and those with him

  Hierarch, Συμεών Επίσκοπος Περσίδος

  Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, and the many who suffered with him under Shapur.

• Adrian of Corinth

  Martyr, Αδριανός ο Νέος

  Holy Martyr Adrian of Corinth, who was burned for Christ under Decius.

• Makarios of Corinth

  Hierarch, Μακάριος Νοταράς

  Saint Makarios Notaras, Metropolitan of Corinth, Kollyvades father and co-compiler of the Philokalia.

  Name days: Makarios, Macarius

• Agapetus of Rome

  Hierarch, Αγαπητός Πάπας Ρώμης

  Saint Agapetus, Pope of Rome, who deposed the heretic Anthimus at Constantinople.

• Azat the Eunuch

  Martyr, Αζάτ ο Ευνούχος

  Holy Martyr Azat the Eunuch, official of the Persian court, with those who suffered with him.

• Zosimas of Solovki

  Venerable, Ζωσιμάς Σολόβκι

  Venerable Zosimas, abbot and co-founder of the Solovki Monastery in the White Sea.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.