Saint Adrian of Caesarea

We know little about Adrian, and that little is clear-cut. He was a young Christian and died at Caesarea Maritima on March 5, 309, during Diocletian’s persecution — one of the fiercest of the fourth century. The Roman Martyrology tells it in a single line that is worth more than a biography: “At Caesarea Maritima, Saint Adrian, martyr, who, during the persecution of the emperor Diocletian, on the day when the inhabitants used to celebrate the feast of Fortuna, by order of the governor Firmilian, was for his faith in Christ first thrown to a lion and then had his throat cut with the sword.” That detail is worth pausing on: they killed him on the feast day of Fortuna. Executions were held when the whole city was out in the square, because that was part of what they were for. With him died Eubulus, who had made the same choice and met the same end. Adrian is remembered as the protector of couriers. If your name is Adrian or Adriana, today is your name day.