St. Adrian of Nicomedia

Patron Saint of Arms Dealers, Butchers, Guards and Soldiers

Adrian and his wife Natalia lived in Nicomedia during the time of Emperor Maximian in the early fourth century. At twenty-eight years of age, Adrian was head of the praetorium at the imperial court of Nicomedia in present-day Turkey. He and his wife were both pagans.

Placed in charge of the torture of a group of Christians, Adrian was impressed by their courage and resignation to their sufferings. He asked them what reward they expected to receive from God. They replied, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Read More