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.
Feast Day
April 17
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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.
Timeline3 momentsReadHide
249-251Imprisonment under DeciusDuring the persecution of the emperor Decius, Adrian, a Christian of Corinth, was locked up in prison together with other believers.
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.
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.
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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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