Saint Natalia of Nicomedia: life. Natalia's name day according to the church calendar

Before the icon of the saint pray

O sacred couple, holy martyrs of Christ, Adrian and Natalia, blessed spouses and good sufferers! Hear us praying to you with tears, and send down on us all that is useful to our souls and our bodies, and pray to Christ God, have mercy on us and do with us according to His mercy, that we not perish in our sins. Hey, holy martyr, accept the voice of our prayer and deliver us with your prayers from gladness, destruction, coward, flood, fire, hail, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine strife, from vain death and from all troubles, sorrows and diseases, but I will take it out, with your prayers and intercession of strengthening, let us glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor and worship is due, with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Oh, the long-suffering and all-glorious martyrs of Christ Adrian and Natalia! I now resort to your all-merciful intercession, unworthy (name). Pray for the great-gifted God, may He raise us up from the depths of sin, enlighten our mind, stop envy, enmity and strife that live in us. May the servants of God (names) send marital peace and harmony, and may they protect His holy Angels from the wiles of the evil one with the militia. Amen.

O sacred couple, the holy martyrs of Christ Adrian and Natalia, blessed spouses and good sufferers! Hear us praying to you with tears (names), and send down on us all that is useful to our souls and our bodies, and pray to Christ God, have mercy on us and do with us by His mercy, may we not perish in our sins. Hey, holy martyrs! Receive the voice of our prayer, and deliver us with your prayers from gladness, destruction, coward, flood, fire, hail, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from sudden death and from all troubles, sorrows and illnesses, but strengthen with your prayers and intercession Let us glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor and worship is due, with His Father without beginning and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

Prayers

Troparion to Natalia of Nicomedia

Your martyrs, Lord,
in their sufferings they have received incorruptible crowns from Thee, our God,
having thy strength,
put down the tormentors,
crushing and demons of feeble insolence.
Those prayers
save our souls.

Kontakion to Natalia of Nicomedia

Martyr Ascension
Divine memory
and illumine the whole ends of the earth,
calling with glee:
Thou art the martyrs, O Christ, rejoicing.

Prayer to Natalia of Nicomedia

O sacred couple, the holy martyrs of Christ Adrian and Natalia, blessed spouses and good sufferers! Hear us praying to you with tears, and send down on us all that is useful to our souls and our bodies, and pray to Christ God, have mercy on us and do with us according to His mercy, that we not perish in our sins. Hey, holy martyrs! Receive the voice of our prayer, and deliver us with your prayers from hunger, destruction, coward, flood, fire, hail, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from sudden death and from all troubles, sorrows and illnesses, but strengthen us with your prayers and intercession let us glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all glory, honor and worship is due, with His Father without beginning and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Akathist to Natalia of Nicomedia

Kondak 1

Ikos 1

Kondak 2

Seeing the Lord the purity of your heart, Adriane all-honest, even if polytheism darkened by the darkness, both ready to accept the Truth, deign to call you into Your wonderful light and open the doors of Your Kingdom to you, with the prayers of your holy spouse, with joy you cried out to the Triune God, who enlightened you soul, a song of praise: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The mind of true theology suddenly embraced your soul, Adrian, when, at the command of the tsar, you inscribed with other notaries the names of the holy martyrs, led to suffering and death for the name of Christ, when you asked the servants of the Lord, what recompense they will receive from the Lord in His Kingdom for all the torment, they answered you, as if to speak with a powerfully mortal tongue and comprehend the weak mind, even if God has prepared for those who love Him. But you, Abie, abandoned all idol evil faith, with all your heart you rushed to Christ and cried out boldly: “And I am a Christian!” Honoring your appeal to the true Sun of Truth, we pray thee, accept, together with your wife, Saint Natalia, from us sinners, the praise of the sitsa: Rejoice, holy servant of the true God; Rejoice, fulfiller of the will of zeal. Rejoice, as all the red and sweet world of this love for the sake of Christ was despised by nature; rejoice, for you have sacrificed earthly love and marital happiness to the Beloved. Rejoice, you who teach us not to cling to earthly blessings, but to be lifted up in spirit to God; Rejoice, enlightening our infirmity and ascending the ladder of the shrine to help us. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 3

Fortified by power from above, you marched, blessed, courageously on the feat before you, thirsty to die for your beloved Savior and your God. Your wife, Saint Natalia, with prayers and exhortations, helped you to raise the cross sent from the Lord to you, and accept the crown of incorruption prepared for you in Heaven, and boldly sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having to go to the lawless trial of Maximian, you were shut up in a dark prison, where with other saints the martyrs spent the whole night in prayers, hymns and spiritual conversations. Your loving wife, having despised the weakness of women and the natural love of the flesh, imputing it to nothing, in every possible way urges you not to deviate from the faith of Christ, but to the end remain an unshakable confessor to the name of Jesus and not be afraid of death. The same to you, as a true warrior of Christ, in spiritual joy we cry out: Rejoice, orthodox courageous zeal; Rejoice, wickedness fearless and accusation. Rejoice, having put on patience, like a strong armor; Rejoice, the Cross of Christ is like an invincible weapon in the hand of the recipient. Rejoice, for you have surprised the lawless tormentors with your natural courage; rejoice, for you have glorified the name of God. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 4

The storm of cowardice and fear is driving away from your heart, glorious Adrian, and strengthening you for the forthcoming martyrdom, your blessed wife Natalia has not stopped talking with you all night about a wonderful and great reward, that God has prepared for Him your life laid down, and tako tells 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 remain faithful to Him Who loved you, crying out to Him from the bottom of your heart: Hallelujah.

Ikos 4

Hearing Saint Natalia, sitting in her house, as if you were coming to her from the dungeon, and thinking that you were afraid of torment and rejected Christ, weeping bitterly and, coming to you from the door of the house, starting to reproach you, because you have departed from the faith of Christ. But you, rejoicing in spirit and moreover strengthening yourself for suffering, told her with tears, as if you had not only departed from Christ, but more than that, you wish suffering for His Holy Name. Such is the height of Christian love, surprisingly, with tenderness, we cry out to you: Rejoice, the image of the true Christian matrimony; Rejoice, having truly shown the love of heaven in yourself. Rejoice, inspiring the feat of Christ's self-denial for us; Rejoice, all the red of this transient world despise us teaching. Rejoice, leave the valley and soar in spirit to the heavenly ones admonishing us; Rejoice, in all who are with us, see the will of God helping us. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 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, prisoners, and kissing their sacred ulcers, you wiped their pus, relief and joy in every possible way to them, and in heartfelt tenderness to Heavenly God crying angelic song: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Having seen the wicked tormentor, the prisoners of the saint, shut up with you in prison, having reached so much exhaustion from wounds, as if by no means could they endure the most cruel torment, command the one and only, Adrian, to bring before your judgment and in every possible way admonish you to renounce Christ, frightening you with the torments ahead. Both, strengthened above and comforted by your blessed wife, you remained firm, like adamant, against the temptation of the enemy. For this sake, for your sake, for Christ, suffering with love is gratifying and magnifying your holy spouse, we joyfully cry out to you: Rejoice, victorious servant of the Most High God; Rejoice, loud confessor of the faith of Christ. Rejoice, idol charms of daring reproof; Rejoice, fearless preachers of the glory of God. Rejoice, you who did not fear Maximian's wrath; rejoice, that rage is not imputed to anything. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 6

The eloquent preacher appeared to you, Adrian, when, standing before the judgment of the king, you fearlessly confessed Christ to be the true God, who created heaven and earth, you denounced the idol charm, and for this confession and denunciation, you raised the most severe beat, to your Ascetic cry: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

The light of the glory of Heavenly Hosia on your face, wise sufferer, always beaten in the womb, as if your womb was poured out from cruel blows, did not stop glorifying Christ and confessing His Holy name before all the people. Blessed Natalia, rejoicing in spirit, seeing your patience and courage, and prayerfully strengthening you, may your soul not fail and may you remain a faithful servant of Christ to the end, even together with you, we, sinners, sing to this: Rejoice, Holy Spirit sacred dwelling; Rejoice, glorious receptacle of the grace of Christ. Rejoice, spiritually and bodily with the light of the Divine shining; Rejoice, enlightenment from Christ the King from above. Rejoice, strengthened by the power of His Divinity; Rejoice, for you fearlessly marched on the feat of suffering. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 7

Although the wicked king calls you to judgment, glorious Adrian, shut you up with the rest of the holy martyrs in prison, where holy Natalia comes to you and begins your patience to appease and strengthen you, saying: martyrs of Christ!" Rejoicing from the south, you cried out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Inventing a new intrigue, the evil tormentor, commanded by his howl not to let women into the prison to the prisoners, from the city who come to comfort and relieve the sufferers of Christ. Then you too, Saint Natalia, are forbidden to see your husband and serve him; Both the commandment of the tsar neglected, in a man's attire you came to prison and, as before your holy spouse, you supported you, but courageously come to torment and death for Christ the Lord. For this sake, we worthily praise thee, together with your holy husband, and we cry out to you: Rejoice, brightly adorned servants of Christ; Rejoice, magnificent glory of confessors to the name of Jesus. Rejoice, you who love the narrow path and show it to us; rejoice, as by this quiet haven, the Kingdom of Christ, you have reached. Rejoice, for now you abide in endless glory and bliss; rejoice, as you save us from troubles and misfortunes with your prayers. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 8

A strange and wonderful thing was visible in the dungeon, where you were imprisoned, Adrian, with other sufferers of Christ, when, at the command of the formidable tormentor, crush your legs at will. Then, for your holy wife herself lifts up your feet and lays them on the anvil, so that they will succumb to the torments of torment, and you will soon unite with your Lord, singing unceasingly to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

All burning with love for Christ, Martyr Adrian, you remained in patience until your most blessed death, when your pure soul united with your Lord, for His name you suffered so much, as if the hand of your cut-off life. Honoring your martyrdom, by faith we cry out to you and St. Natalia: Rejoice, suffering mental torments, along with bodily ones, for Christ; Rejoice, wings of heavenly love to grief for God near. Rejoice, like eagles, soaring to the Sun of Truth; Rejoice, to the Light of the Non-Evening from the vale of weeping you have risen. Rejoice, in the host of saints the martyr has settled; rejoice, together with all the saints in Heaven singing a wondrous song to God. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 9

All the pride of the inhuman tormentor was put to shame, when heavy rain extinguished the fiery flame and did not allow the holy martyrs of Christ to burn with the honest remains of the holy martyrs of Christ, and the whole city was drowned by water, and the people of wickedness with thunder and lightning frightened the former. But you, blessed Natalia, in joy sang to Christ, who is all good: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The ornateness of earthly praises does not suffice to praise your exploits, the holy martyrs of Christ Adrian and Natalia, oh, because of the temporary glory and greatness of the earthly neglect, leave everything and lay down your soul for faith in Christ, oh, having overcome the natural weakness of women, masculinely labored, strengthening his wife in his torment and rejoicing at his blissful death. Toliya deeds of yours worthy of praising perplexedly, with love we cry out to you: Rejoice, invigorating heart the Cross of Christ on the frame raised; rejoice, you were not exhausted under its weight. Rejoice, former imitator of Christ's passions; rejoice, having crucified your flesh with passions and lusts. Rejoice, having shown the image of love and meekness in yourself; Rejoice, having taught us to bear each other's burdens. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 10

At least save the bodies of the saints, the martyr from desecration and dishonor, when a certain pious man with his wife came to Saint Natalia and the other brethren of Christians, asking them to deign to him, may he take the holy relics with him to Byzantium and put them there honestly until the time when Maximian the wicked dies . The Christians of the city of Nicomedia deigned to the petition of this man and entrusted him with a valuable treasure, joyfully crying out to God: Hallelujah.

Ikos 10

As if we are protecting you with 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. Saved by your warm prayers for us, we faithfully praise you with these titles: Rejoice, unceasing prayer book for us to God; Rejoice, our helpers burning warm with love for us. Rejoice, our speedy intercessors and mentors; Rejoice, our teachers, who teach us to live pleasingly. Rejoice, our loving friends, condescending to our infirmities; Rejoice, for you raise us to the height of virgin purity and dispassion. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 11

Blessed Natalia brought singing to God from the bottom of her heart, when you delivered you from the hand of the tribune, who wanted you to be his wife. For you, like the faithful wife of the martyr Adrian of Christ, did not want to encroach on your husband for the second time and with prayer you fled, sitting on a ship, to Byzantium, where the body of your holy husband was supposed to be. Having reached this city, with love you cried out to the Lord God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The most luminous lamp, the ship appeared, on it the depths of the sea sailed, having with you precious beads, the hand of your holy husband, having avoided his prayers of persecution of the tribune, Byzantium reached you unscathed and, with a joyful soul, kissing the body of your blessed master, in spiritual tenderness your soul in You betrayed the hand of the Lord. Greater than your departure to the Lord, together with Saint Adrian, we sing to you: Rejoice, married couple of blessedness, who lived on earth in love and did not part after death; Rejoice, close friends of the Lord, who dwell at His Throne. Rejoice, you who enjoy the sight of His all-luminous vision; Rejoice, thou wholly enjoy eternal bliss. Rejoice, having found rest in the villages of the righteous; Rejoice, on earth you left your holy relics for healing to us. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 12

The grace of the fulfillment of the vessel showed your honest relics, given to us by Christ God, the holy martyr of Christ diligently flowing to them, the resolution of sins by your prayers is acceptable, crying out to God with all your heart: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your honest suffering and blissful death, with it you will rise to the Mountain, to all the saints who have pleased God from the ages, we praise you, the all-glorious martyrs of Christ, Adrian and Natalia, and earnestly pray to unceasingly remember us at the Throne of Glory, who bless you: Rejoice, martyrs Praise and goodness warriors of Christ; Rejoice, invincible martyrs and conquerors of glory. Rejoice, champions of the true faith; Rejoice, virtues of the lamp of inextinguishability. Rejoice, coal, burning with divine love; Rejoice, crowned bearers, with heavenly blessings from the wedding of Christ. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 13

About the 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 save our souls, let us sing to Him: Alleluia.

(this Kontakion verb three times)

Ikos 1

Burning with angelic love for the Lord, unceasingly sent up fervent prayers to God your Savior, all-blessed Natalia, may she enlighten the darkened heart of your husband with a ray of grace and turn it to the knowledge of Him, your Creator and Lord, until the King of kings heard your tearful petitions and touched your heart Adrianov, and Abie believes your husband with all his heart, and with a cheerful heart he endured the most severe torment, and was not afraid to accept death for Christ. The same reverently marveling at your love for Christ and zeal for God, we joyfully cry out to you: Rejoice, lamps of all light, burning with Divine love; Rejoice, pillars of steadfastness against the bitterness of the wicked idolaters. Rejoice, bearing the Cross of Christ with patience and devotion; Rejoice, with this victory of the saints, with the sign of conquering the devil and shaming his machinations. Rejoice, thou who didst receive the incorruptible crowns and crowned with glory from the Lord; Rejoice, for now in Heaven is the Throne of the Almighty and pray for us sinners. Rejoice, Saints Adriana and Natalia, martyrs of Christ of all praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Kondak 1

Chosen servants of God and all-glorious martyrs of Christ, despising all this world of vanity for the sake of love for Christ, the Son of God, and laying down your life, like a blameless and pure sacrifice, more willing to accept torment and death, rather than denying the true God, we praise you with love, Saint Adrian and Natalie! But you, in joy coming to the Throne of the glory of the Lord and taking out enjoying that contemplation, pray for us sinners, who flow to you with faith and reverence, but we cry out to you with gratitude: Rejoice, holy Adrian and Natalia, martyrs of Christ all-praise and sufferers of invincibility!

Prayer

O sacred couple, holy martyrs of Christ, Adrian and Natalia, blessed spouses and good sufferers! Hear us, praying to you with tears, and send down on us all that is useful to our souls and our bodies, and pray to Christ God, have mercy on us and do with us according to His mercy, that we not perish in our sins! Hey, holy martyrs, accept the voice of our prayer and deliver us with your prayers from gladness, destruction, coward, flood, fire, hail, sword, invasion of foreigners and internecine warfare, from vain death and from all troubles, sorrows and diseases, but I will take it out, with your prayers and intercession of strengthening, let us glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, to Him all glory, honor and worship befits, with His Beginning Father and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

An amazing story of fidelity is hidden behind the bright image of St. Natalia, who is often depicted on icons with her husband. Adrian was a big boss in the city of Nicomedia (modern Turkey). There lived a couple in the year of the last great persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. Their initiator was the emperor Galerius.

History of the icon

When the new ruler arrived in Nicomedia, he decided to fight against an incomprehensible religion. Christians were required to offer sacrifices to idols, or they were sentenced to death. Temples and sacred books were burned all over the country. In such a situation, it is not surprising that many hid their faith. So did Natalya, who was a secret Christian. Even her husband, Adrian, did not know that she had renounced the pagan gods.

Because Adrian was in high position, he witnessed how the followers of Jesus were tortured. He was surprised at the patience with which they bore the torment. After communicating with Christians, he himself believed, which he announced to everyone around him. Immediately he was thrown into prison. So in an instant, a rich official became a disenfranchised prisoner, sentenced to torture. Of course, everything became known to Adrian's wife.

The icon of St. Natalia shows the close spiritual connection of a young woman with her husband. She was very glad when she learned that her husband also accepted Christ. This may seem a little strange to some under the circumstances, but it is a vain worldly view. The Saints thought about how to please God. Their sacrifices were needed to establish the faith throughout the earth. So many years have passed, and people still remember the Nicomedia martyrs, their relics are imperishable, their souls are in paradise.

What does the icon of St. Natalya

Natalya immediately came to her husband, she told him what she had previously hidden - they have a common faith. She began to support her husband. The saint herself was not tortured, but to watch how she suffers close person also a tough test. The wife was with Adrian until the very end.

Such unity of spouses is very pleasing to the Lord. The icon of St. Natalia helps:

• newlyweds to build a strong union;
• maintain happiness in marriage;
• survive difficulties in a career;
• to keep the faith during the period of trials, during the time of unjust accusations.

Giving comfort, support to your spouse is a very worthy task for a woman, many have forgotten about her today. Do not look down on those who adhere to the old family foundations - nothing has changed for God. Those who have managed to remain faithful in marriage show respect not only for their partner, they pay tribute to God.

The meaning of the icon of Adrian and Natalia is to remind that a family is not started in order to “legally” go to bed with someone. First of all, this is the small Church, of which the universal Church, that is, the body of Christ on this earth, also consists. We must live in respect, support each other. When Adrian had to endure torture for several days, his faithful wife was always there. Comforted, supported.

Both knew that a painful end would soon come. But Natalya, as best she could, supported her husband's good spirits. She reminded that everything earthly passes, and the main treasure for them is Christ. She also looked after other prisoners, washed their wounds, brought food, and constantly prayed.

Holy Union

In eternity, people will not have traces of earthly suffering. Therefore, the great martyrs Natalya and Adrian on the icons have a perfect appearance. These are two young men with beautiful faces. They were in the prime of their youth and beauty when they died for their faith, but in the kingdom of God all will be young and healthy.

There are not only joint icons of the holy couple, but also single ones - they can be presented on Angel Day, on the christening of a newborn. However, the church celebration of the saints is established on the same day, and in prayers they are mentioned together.

Saint Natalia was very worried that after the death of her husband she would be forced to remarry. She was still a young, beautiful and very rich woman. Therefore, she asked her husband to pray to the Lord for her when he was in paradise. There are two versions of the death of the saint:

• died on the third day after the execution of her husband, sitting on his grave;
• Natalya fled from persecution to Byzantium, where she soon died.

In any case, the Lord heard her prayer and took her undefiled. Since Saint Natalia showed a lot of courage, her icon helps those who lack patience and faith.

Types of icons

Icons of Natalia and her husband appeared first in Byzantium, then the veneration passed to Russia. The Church carefully preserves the lives of the saints, their full version can be found in a special book - Cheti-Minei. Reading about the lives of the saints is very beneficial for the soul.

Modern artists also do not forget the ancient saints - new icons of the martyr Natalya appear. She is usually depicted wearing a red cloak and a white headscarf.

• You can change the style of the image, but always in right hand there will be a cross;

• There may be a handkerchief on the left. This is a symbol of the fact that the saint was caring for her husband - his bones were broken and he could not walk;

• The scroll is a symbol of knowledge, a personal revelation of God, which the saint comprehended.

The image of the saint can be in any room of the house. The main thing is that this place should be clean, it would be convenient to stand near it during prayer.

Prayers to the Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia

Prayer one

About the holy martyrs Adrian and Natalia! Hear us, servant of God (names), at this hour praying to you: pray for us to the Lord Christ God, you have acquired a lot of boldness towards Him, sincere prayers for us exist. Beg the Lord to forgive our sins and vouchsafe us the Kingdom of Heaven, and together with you we will glorify the magnificent name of the Most Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever.

Prayer two

Oh, the holy servant of God Natalia, having labored a good feat on earth, received the crown of truth in heaven, which the Lord has prepared for all those who love Him; the same, looking at your holy image, we rejoice in the glorious end of your residence and honor your holy memory. You, standing before the Throne of God, accept our prayers and bring to the All-Merciful God, to forgive us every sin and help us to become against the wiles of the devil, but having got rid of sorrows, illnesses, troubles and misfortunes and all evil, we will live piously and righteously in the present age, and we will be honored by your intercession, if not worthy of Esma, to see the good on the land of the living, glorifying the One in His saints, the glorious God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Icon of St. Natalia - meaning, what helps was last modified: July 8th, 2017 by Bogolub

She entered into marriage with Saint Adrian when she was still quite young. At this time, the Roman emperor was Maximian, who considered one of his main tasks to be the extermination of Christians. One day, on a denunciation, 23 Christian believers were captured, who were hiding in a cave near Nicomedia. They were brutally abused within the prison walls, forcing them to worship pagan idols. The head of the judicial chamber was Saint Adrian (28 years old), who all this time watched how the prisoners steadfastly endured the torment. Inspired by conversations with them, he also decided to confess God, who promises his faithful children a great heritage eternal life.
Upon learning of this, the emperor ordered Adrian to be put behind bars. Adrian's wife was very happy about this, because. secretly accepted long ago Holy Baptism. For one day they let him go home, on the bail of others, but Saint Natalia did not want to let him go, because. thought he had denied Christ. But he convinced her that he did not run away, but only came to inform her of the day of his execution. Martyr Adrian was severely tortured, all this time his wife was near and strengthened him. Saint Natalia asked her husband to offer up his first prayer to God for her, so that she would not be forced to marry a pagan. The tormentors ordered the hands and feet of the Christians to be beaten off, fearing that her husband might back down, she herself asked that he be executed first, and she herself laid his feet and hands on the anvil.
After the death of her husband, one of the chiefs of the army asked Emperor Maximian for permission to take Saint Natalia as his wife, but she managed to hide in Byzantium. Once, in a dream, her husband appeared to her, who predicted that the Lord would soon take her to Himself. And so it happened, Saint Natalia peacefully departed to the Lord.

Natalia - female name, formed in the first centuries of Christianity from lat. Natalis Domini - birth, Christmas. The meaning of the name "Natalia" is Christmas. Of the bearers of this name in Orthodoxy, the most famous is St. Natalia of Nicomedia, whose memorial day falls on September 8th. Saint Natalia is venerated along with her husband, Saint Adrian.
Adrian and Natalia lived in Bithynian Nicomedia under the emperor Maximian (305-311). Adrian was a pagan, and Natalia was a secret Christian. When their marriage was one year and one month old, Adrian, as the head of the judicial chamber of Nicomedia, was instructed by the emperor to draw up protocols of interrogations of 23 Christians arrested on the denunciation of pagans in caves where they secretly prayed. The martyrs were severely beaten, but did not renounce Christ. Adrian wanted to know why Christians suffer so much and they told him about faith in eternal life and in divine retribution. This faith entered the heart of Adrian, he converted to Christianity and himself entered himself into the list of arrested Christians. Natalia, having learned about this, was delighted, because now her husband shared her secret faith. Natalia went to prison and began to beg Adrian to courageously accept the crown of martyrdom for the sake of Christ. She cared for Christians crippled by torture, alleviating their suffering. When Adrian was released home to tell his wife about the day of his execution, she at first did not want to let him into the house, thinking that he had denied Christ. On the day of the execution, Natalia, fearing that Adrian might hesitate at the sight of the suffering and death of other martyrs, asked the executioners to begin the execution with her husband and herself laid his feet on the anvil. When Adrian's legs were broken, Natalia put his hand under the blow of the hammer. Executioner with a strong blow cut it off and Adrian died. He was 28 years old. Natalia secretly took her husband's hand and hid it. Maximian, having executed all the Christians in prison, ordered the bodies of the martyrs to be burned. But by the will of God, a strong thunderstorm began, and many of the tormentors were killed by lightning. The rain extinguished the burning furnace, and the Christians were able to take out the bodies of the saints, undamaged by fire, from the furnace. A pious Christian named Eusebius collected the remains of the saints and brought them to the city of Argyropol near Byzantium. The emperor wanted to give Natalia as a wife to a noble commander, then Natalia took the hand of Adrian and went on a ship to Argyropol. The commander, having learned about Natalia's escape, pursued her on the ship, but got into a storm and turned the ship back, while many of those sailing on it drowned, and the ship with the Christians bypassed the storm. They were saved by Adrian, appearing to them in a radiance of light. Upon arrival in Argyropol, Natalia came to the temple with the bodies of the martyrs and connected Adrian's hand with his body. On the same day the sufferer died.
Natalia, despite her bloodless death and the fact that she was not subjected to bodily torture, was counted among the martyrs for her boundless compassion for her husband and other martyrs.

Martyrs Adrian and Natalia entered into marriage young, just one year before the suffering. They lived in Nicomedia of Bithynia under the emperor Maximian (305-311). Starting the persecution, he promised rewards to those who would point out Christians and bring them to judgment. Denunciations began, and according to one of them, 23 Christians were taken, hiding in a cave near Nicomedia. They were tortured, forced to bow to idols, and then brought to the courtroom to have their names and answers written down. Adrian, the head of the judicial chamber, observing with what courage people endure suffering for their faith, how firmly and fearlessly they confess Christ, asked: "What reward do you expect from your God for torment?" The martyrs answered: "Such a reward that we cannot describe, but your mind cannot comprehend." Encouraged, Saint Adrian said to the scribes: "Write me down too, because I am a Christian and will gladly die for Christ God." The scribes reported this to the emperor, who called on Saint Adrian and asked: "Are you really mad and want to perish? Go, cross your name off the lists and offer a sacrifice to the gods, asking their forgiveness." Saint Adrian answered: "I did not go mad, but turned to common sense." Then Maximian ordered to put Hadrian in prison. His wife, Saint Natalia, having learned that her husband was suffering for Christ, rejoiced, because she herself was a secret Christian. She hurried to prison and strengthened her husband, saying: “Blessed are you, my lord, that you believed in Christ, you have acquired a great treasure. Do not regret anything earthly, neither beauty, nor youth (Adrian was only 28 years old), nor wealth. earthly things are dust and decay, but only faith and good deeds are pleasing to God.” On the assurance of other martyrs, Saint Adrian was released from prison to tell his wife about the day of execution. Saint Natalia thought that he had renounced Christ and had been set free, and did not want to let him go home. The saint convinced his wife that he did not run away from torment, but came to inform her of the day of his death.

Saint Adrian was severely tortured. The emperor advised the saint to have pity on himself and call on the gods, but the martyr answered: "Let your gods tell me what kind of blessing they promise me, and then I will bow to them, and if they cannot speak, then why should I bow to them?" Saint Natalia did not cease to strengthen her husband. She asked him to offer her first prayer to God for her, so that she would not be forced to marry a pagan after his death. The tormentor ordered the saints to beat off their hands and feet on the anvil. Saint Natalia, fearing that her husband, seeing the suffering of other martyrs, would not hesitate, asked the tormentors to begin the execution with him and herself helped to put his hands and feet on the anvil. They wanted to burn the bodies of the martyrs, but a strong thunderstorm arose, and the furnace went out. Many executioners were killed by lightning. Saint Natalia took her husband's hand and kept it in the house. Soon the commander of the army asked the emperor for permission to marry Saint Natalia, who was young and rich. But she hid in Byzantium. Here Saint Adrian appeared to her in a dream and said that she would soon be reposed by the Lord. The bloodless martyr, exhausted by previous sufferings, indeed, soon reposed in God.