Gold foil printed icon of Saint Natalia the Martyr on Hagiography wood.

Dimensions: 26x21cm.

Saint Natalia was married to Adrian and they lived in Nicomedia when Maximian was the emperor of Rome. Adrian was a military man by profession. When one day he met some Christians who were ready to be martyred, he was impressed by their warm faith and publicly confessed that he was a Christian.

He was immediately arrested and submitted to horrific torture and as a result he died a martyr's death. Throughout the torture, Natalia urged her husband not to be intimidated and to endure martyrdom with vigor. After Adrian's death, the Saint received his body and buried it. Later, she also martyred for Christ and was buried near her husband. Their memory is commemorated on August 26 of each year.

Apolytikion of Saints Adrian & Natalie the Martyrs

Third Tone

Thou didst deem that Faith which hath salvation to be riches never lost or plundered. Thou forsookest thy fathers' impiety, and thou didst follow thy Master, becoming rich in His divine gifts, O glorious Adrian. With the godly-minded Natalie, who emboldened thee, entreat Christ God, O Martyr, that our souls be saved.