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Martyr3rd century

Adrian of Corinth

3rd century (martyred under Decius, 249-251)

Also known as Martyr Adrian

Adrian, a Christian of Corinth, was imprisoned and put to death for refusing to offer sacrifice to idols during the persecution under the emperor Decius.

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Commemorated as

The Holy Martyr Adrian of Corinth

Life

Adrian was a Christian of Corinth who was imprisoned and put to death for refusing to offer sacrifice to idols during the persecution under the emperor Decius (249-251). He is commemorated as a martyr on April 17.

According to the synaxarion, while the Christian prisoners were brought out during a pagan festival and ordered to sacrifice, Adrian scattered the fire of the sacrifice rather than offer incense, and after being beaten he was cast into a fire, in which he died.

Kontakion & Troparion2 hymnsReadHide
KontakionTone 2

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”) You appeared as a bright star announcing Christ with your radiance,
which is repulsive to this world, O Martyr Adrian;
extinguishing the allure of false gods,
you enlighten the faithful,
always interceding for us all.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 3

Your holy martyr Adrian, O Lord,
through his sufferings has received an incorruptible crown from You, our God.
For having Your strength, he laid low his adversaries,
and shattered the powerless boldness of demons.
Through his intercessions, save our souls!

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline3 momentsReadHide
  1. 249-251Imprisonment under DeciusDuring the persecution of the emperor Decius, Adrian, a Christian of Corinth, was locked up in prison together with other believers.
  2. 249-251Refusal to sacrificeAt a pagan festival the Christian prisoners were brought out and ordered to sacrifice to the idols. When commanded to cast incense on the coals, Adrian instead scattered the fire and wrecked the sacrifice.
  3. 249-251Martyrdom by fireThe enraged pagans beat him with sticks and iron rods and struck him with stones, and finally threw him into a fire, where he received the crown of martyrdom.

Contributions & Legacy

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Life and Martyrdom

Corinth, a major city of the Roman province of Achaia in Greece, was the setting of Adrian's confession. The sources place his death in the persecution of the emperor Decius, locating him among the martyrs of the pre-Nicene Church.

The synaxarion relates that Adrian was held in prison with other Christians, and that during a pagan festival they were brought out and commanded to offer sacrifice. Rather than comply, Adrian overturned the sacrificial fire. For this he was beaten with sticks, iron rods, and stones, and was then thrown into a fire, in which he died a martyr.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints