Saints Adrian and Natalia are the spiritual patrons of 497,965 Romanians, according to data provided by Romania’s General Directorate for Personal Records.
Of the total number of people bearing names associated with the two saints, 312,580 are men, and 185,385 are women.
Among men, Adrian is by far the most common name, borne by 306,210 people, while 6,342 Romanians are named Adi. A further 18 bear the name Adiță.
Among women, Adriana is the most widespread name, with 130,936 bearers, while another 742 women are named Adi.
53,717 persons bear names inspired by Saint Natalia. Of these, Natalia is the most common, with 52,806 bearers, followed by Natașa, Nataly and Nati. The name Nati is also borne by 10 men.
Saints Adrian and Natalia
The Holy Martyrs Adrian and Natalia, commemorated each year on 26 August, confessed their faith in Christ during the persecutions under Emperor Galerius Maximianus (293–311) in Nicomedia.
Adrian, a pagan official, chose to join a group of 23 imprisoned Christians after learning from them about the reward God had prepared for those who suffered for their faith.
His wife, Natalia, was secretly a Christian. When she learnt of Adrian’s decision, she went to the prison to strengthen him in his faith. She also encouraged the other martyrs, kissed their chains and tended their wounds, accompanying her husband on the path of confession until the end.
Adrian was subjected to terrible tortures. Eventually, his legs were crushed, and one of his hands was cut off, after which he gave up his soul to God.
On the emperor’s orders, the bodies of the martyrs were prepared to be thrown into the fire. A heavy downpour, however, extinguished the flames, saving their holy relics and allowing them to be taken to a place near Byzantium.
Natalia secretly kept her husband’s hand and later left Nicomedia to join his relics. After reaching Argyropolis, she prayed beside them and died in faith and purity. She was buried alongside Saint Adrian and the other martyrs.
Photo: Basilica.ro
