By Bishop Gregorios of Mesaoria
Our Church today commemorates Saints Adrian and Natalia, who lived in Nicomedia during the time of the emperor Maximian (305-311). The Martyrs Adrian and Natalia were married in their youth for one year prior to their martyrdom.
Saint Adrian was the head of the praetorium when twenty-three Christians were arrested, brutally tortured and suffered with such courage for their faith in Jesus Christ. Seeing how firmly and fearlessly they confessed their faith in Christ, touched his soul so much that he declared to the prosecutors that he was a Christian and would die gladly for Christ God.
His wife, Saint Natalia, rejoiced this tragic event. She went to prison and encouraged her husband, who remained faithful and was martyred for his faith in Christ. Saint Natalia met her martyrdom at the same place, where she fell asleep in the Lord; not even death could do them apart.
The spiritual loyalty and devotion of the spouses in the family are the cornerstone of happiness, love and harmony between the spouses and by extensions among the members of the family. In this way, a family becomes “the church that meets at their house.” (Romans 16:5)
SOURCE: Church of Cyprus