Our Church today commemorates Saints Adrian and Natalia, who lived in Nicomedia during the reign of the emperor Maximian (305-311).
The life of these two saints is a living proof that marriage and common life should not be considered obstacles to salvation and holiness. Instead, it is a free choice to complement the weaknesses of the other. It becomes a life-saving struggle for couples in Christ and within the Church as “the church that meets at their house,” as the Apostle Paul describes the family: The couple Adrian and Natalia are a prime example of how spouses should contribute to God bless the marriage, that is, in the deification of all the members of the family.
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. The relics of him and other martyrs were transported and buried in Argyroupoli. Saint Natalia met her martyrdom at the same place, where she fell asleep in the Lord, not even death could not keep them apart.
Source: Church of Cyprus