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The name Natalya is translated from Latin as “native” - this is the most common Russian female name. If the parents named the girl with this name, then the icon with the face of Saint Natalia will become a good guardian, protector and a striking example of fidelity to her faith and her husband.
What exactly attracts people to the image of the great martyrs, Adrian and Natalia, for so many centuries? We will find out the answer to this question when we become more familiar with the lives of the Saints.
Feat of Saint Natalia
During her life, the Saint did not succumb to torture and was not executed, but her bloodless martyrdom makes one feel real reverence for this amazing woman.
The woman’s feat dates back to the reign of Emperor Galerius, from 293 to 311. During his reign, the persecution of Christians continued; when he arrived in Nicodemus, he forced people professing Christianity to make sacrifices to the pagan gods; if they refused, they were executed. Holy Christian books and temples were burned, so it is not surprising that people hid their true religion.
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Natalia was the wife of a high-ranking Roman official Hadrian, she professed Christianity, and did not reveal her secret even to her husband. Andrian was amazed at the torment Christians condemned themselves to for the sake of the Lord. After long association with Christians, the man himself accepted this faith.
Due to the fact that the man did not hide his religion, he was thrown into prison. Thus, in an instant, he turned from a high-ranking official into a prisoner doomed to torment.
When the woman found out that her husband had also converted to Christianity, her soul was filled with happiness. She came to prison and confessed to her husband that she was also a Christian. After the torture, Andrian was in terrible condition, his legs were broken, his whole body was mutilated, the woman remained next to her husband and began to care for him. Natalia also helped other prisoners who were punished for their faith; she washed their wounds, brought food and prayed with them.
It is difficult to imagine what kind of mental pain the woman experienced when she watched the execution of her beloved husband, but still she did not break and remained faithful to God. When her husband died, Natalya began to fear that she would be
they would force her to marry, because the woman was young, pretty and very rich.
The woman died some time later, but the exact cause of death is not known. According to one version, she died three days after her husband’s execution, according to another, she fled to Byzantium, where she quickly died. The Nicomedia martyrs are often depicted together on icons.
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The Day of Remembrance of the Great Martyrs Adrian and Natalia is celebrated on the same day - August 26 (September 8).
The further fate of Natalia
It soon became known that the rich and beautiful Natalia remained a widow. Suitors began to woo her, but she refused everyone. Two years later, the emperor gave the order to the military commander to marry Natalia. Then she took with her the ark with her husband’s right hand and secretly fled from the city.
Natalia boarded the ship and set sail from Nicomedia. The military commander began to pursue her on another ship. Then she began to earnestly ask God and her husband to save her. Suddenly a strong storm broke out, and the ship with those pursuing her was forced to return.
And Natalia suddenly saw her husband in a ray of light from the sky. She realized that he was in the Kingdom of Heaven, and thanked God for saving her and her husband.
Natalia wandered around Bithynia for a long time. She soon found out where Adrian's relics were. It turns out that the bodies of the martyrs were not burned then. In terrible excitement and joy, she found the relics of the holy man and united with them the right hand that she had in the ark. The women's strength had dried up from everything they had endured. She lay down on the relics of her husband and gave up her soul to God.
Meaning of the icon
The meaning of the holy image is to remind people of fidelity and devotion to faith and family. The woman was next to her husband “in sorrow and in joy,” even death could not separate them, because they were united by faith in the One God, and only thanks to this faith was the great martyr able to endure all the mental torture when her beloved endured physical torture.
The Holy Face reminds believers that married life is not only a bed and a common household, but also deep unity in faith, in thoughts and actions, supporting each other in the most difficult situations.
The icon of Andrian and Natalia will be very important for all married couples
An icon was written for the martyrs. The icon of Andrian and Natalia will be very important for all married couples who want to have peace and tranquility. The icon depicts Saints Andrian and Natalia. Natalia holds a cross in one hand and a scroll with a prayer in the other. Saint Andrian holds a cross, and his other hand is at chest level.
One of the common images of Saints Andrian and Natalia. Photo: stihi.ru
Behind the saints you can see the temple. They are both dressed in monastic robes.
There is also a separate icon depicting Saint Natalia. When you look at her, she cannot help but amaze you with her unyielding gaze. Very often the saint is depicted in an icon in a dark red robe, with a cross and a scroll in her hand. Sometimes you can see her holding a scarf in her left hand, which symbolizes her devoted care for her husband.
Icon of Saint Natalia. Photo: iklimov.lede.reclama.ru
Prayer to Saints Adrian and Natalia
Oh, holy servant of God Natalia, having fought a good deed on earth, you have received in heaven the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has prepared for all who love Him; In the same way, looking at your holy image, we rejoice at the glorious end of your life and honor your holy memory. You, standing before the Throne of God, accept our prayers and bring them to the All-Merciful God, to forgive us every sin and help us against the wiles of the devil, so that, having been delivered from sorrows, illnesses, troubles and misfortunes and all evil, we will live piously and righteously in the present at the end of the day
Let us be worthy through your intercession, even though we are unworthy, to see good on the earth of the living, glorifying the One in His saints, glorifying God, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Kontakion and troparion were written to Andrian and Natalia
A prayer to Saints Andrian and Natalia was also written. You can read the prayer at any time. You can always turn to the saints in your simple words, the most important thing is that they are sincere.
Only sincere prayers will be heard. During the day of remembrance of saints, a kontakion and troparion for the holiday are sung.
You can also read the kontakion and troparion before the icon of the saints.
Troparion , tone 3:
You have imputed infinite wealth to your saved faith, blessed one, having abandoned the wickedness of your fathers and walking in the footsteps of the Lord, you have been enriched with divine gifts, O glorious Adrian; Pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
John Troparion, tone 3:
You have imputed infinite wealth to your saved faith, blessed one, having abandoned the wickedness of your fathers and walking in the footsteps of the Lord, you have been enriched with divine gifts, O glorious Adrian; Pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion, tone 4:
The God-wise woman placed the divine words in her heart, Adrian, the martyr of Christ. You zealously strived for torment. A wedding ceremony with my wife.
Kontakion, tone 4:
The martyr arose the Divine memory, and the earthly ends were illuminated with light, calling with joy: Thou art the martyrs, O Christ, joy.
Magnification:
We magnify you, holy martyrs Adriana and Natalia, and honor your honest suffering, which you naturally endured for Christ.
After Andrian decided to die for Christ, he was sent to prison
But the very minute after he said this, shackles were placed on him. After which he was sent to prison. When his wife found out about this, she thought that it was due to some kind of crime. But she was told that this happened because he professed faith in Christ.
She dressed in her festive clothes and went to her husband in prison. Then she praised Andrian, telling him to be firm in his faith, and so that no one could shake him. She also asked other martyrs to pray for him, after which she returned to her home.
When Andrian learned that he had been sentenced to death, he asked to go to his home and tell his wife about it. When Natalya saw him safe and sound, she decided that he was free, but at the same hour she thought that Andrian had abandoned Christ. She closed the door in his face and prevented him from going inside.
When Natalia learned that her husband had decided to die along with other martyrs, she actively supported him
She told her husband:
“Whoever denies Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 10:33)
But Andrian said why he decided to come. Natalia opened the doors for him and rushed to hug him. She decided to accompany him on the way to the treasury.
Saint Andrian and Natalia lived during the time of Emperor Diocletian
Who exactly are Saints Andrian and Natalia? Andrian was a high-ranking commander in the army. At the time when the persecution of Emperor Diocletian began, he was only 28 years old. Even then he lived with his wife Natalia.
Saints Andrian and Natalia lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Photo: tatmitropolia.ru
At that time, the emperor ordered the destruction of all Christians. One day, Christians were found in one of the caves and subjected to torture. In total there were 23 people there. Then Saint Andrian asked the martyrs: “How do you withstand unbearable torment and terrible torture?” They answered: “We endure all this in order to be rewarded with the blessings prepared by God for those who suffered for Him, blessings that cannot be heard or spoken.”
At that moment, Andrian's soul was so enlightened by God's grace that he asked the scribes to add it to the names of Christians. And then he said to those martyrs: “It will be a joy for me to die with you for the love of Christ.”
Having confessed his faith, Saint Andrian was given over to torture
A few days later, Andrian openly confessed his faith before the emperor. The emperor was very angry and ordered the soldiers to throw him to the ground. After which the soldiers began to beat him in the stomach with such cruelty that all his insides began to fall out to the ground. Saint Adrian began to be encouraged by the martyrs and his wife Natalia. She told him not to be afraid of torture, that the pain did not last long.
The holy martyrs were sent back to prison. Natalya anointed herself with the blood of her husband, and considered it the most precious balm. Other pious women came to this prison in order to bind up the wounds of the glorious confessors. But when the emperor found out about this, he forbade them to go there and closed access to them. Then Natalya decided to cut her hair. She dressed in men's clothing, and it was thanks to this that she entered the prison and began to take care of all the martyrs. This is exactly what other godly women did.
One day one of the warriors found out about this. He told the emperor about this, and all the martyrs had their legs crushed. After this they went to the Lord. When Saint Adrian’s turn finally came, his wife Natalya tried to encourage him, holding his hand as the executioners prepared to cut off his head.
And when his hand fell, the saint gave up his soul to the Lord. The emperor said that the remains of all the martyrs should be burned in the fire, but Natalya stole her husband's severed hand and hid it on her chest.
The bodies of the martyrs were thrown into the fire. But then, out of the blue, heavy rain began, which extinguished the stove. After which a Christian named Eusebius managed to pick up these remains and take them to another city, where they were buried with dignity.
