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Martyr
Ardalion the Actor
Ardalion the Actor and Martyr
New Calendar April 14 Old Calendar April 27
Why they are a saint
He was a comic actor whose specialty was an act which mocked the Christian martyrs. But during an especially fierce persecution under the Emperor Maximian, his heart was changed in an unknown way, and during one of his performances he called out to the crowd that he was a Christian and that they must not laugh. For this, Ardalion was arrested and tried, and died by torture, as the Prologue says, “playing the role of martyr in very truth and with honour.”
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Ardalion the Actor as a patron when they bear the name Ardalion at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on April 14. As a martyr, he is also asked for courage and faithfulness under trial.
Prayer
O holy Ardalion the Actor, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.