St. Adrian is a martyr from Scotland who was killed by marauding Vikings during the Dark Ages.

The historical record is not clear as to Adrian’s origins. Some say he was an Irish monk and bishop who established the Church at St. Andrews. Other accounts state that he was a Hungarian monk with royal lineage who set out to evangelize Scotland.

In either case, Adrian and some companions established a number of monasteries and hermitages on the Isle of May, which is five miles out to sea from the mainland. In 875, Vikings landed on the island and slaughtered everyone there. Adrian was killed with hundreds of other monks, and their bodies were thrown into a large, ancient burial pit.

Hundreds of years later, the island and former monastery became a pilgrimage site. The relics of a St. Adrian, martyr, rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica, but it is unclear if these belong to this St. Adrian or another, whose feast day is tomorrow.

St. Adrian, you evangelized Scotland and gave your life for the faith, pray for us!