The Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Virgin…

The Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Virgin Martyr Justina

“Come let us bless with one accord him that was an initiate of deepest evil aforetime but through an honorable virgin became a high priest afterward, the great and mighty Cyprian and let us cry out unto him: Make thou the Master of all things gracious through they pleadings.”

This is the exapostilarion chanted by the Church on that day.

Cyprian was an illustrious pagan of Antioch during the reign of Decius in the middle of the 3^rd century. He acquired a vast worldly knowledge since childhood and then started to learn sorcery.

He practiced it so skillfully that the pagans ran to him from near and far, asking him to consort with demons for specific services, either to harm people, or to instigate others towards certain actions. Cyprian went far in this practice: he read all kinds of magic books, visited places that were famous for magic and sorcery, learning all the secrets of witchcraft.

All this procured him wealth and fame man. Whether he knew it or not, he certainly caused harm to many; but he did not care.

Justina was the daughter of a pagan priest named Edesius. One day, Justina heard someone speak about the Incarnation of Christ from a Virgin for the salvation of men and the love of God for mankind. So she secretly visited a Christian church to hear some more.

She converted to the Lord Jesus and learned the true faith. It seems also that her father, the pagan priest, was a man inclined to wisdom. He was also attracted to the faith with his wife Cledonia. All three were baptized by Optatus Bishop. Justina vowed her chastity to the heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

According to church tradition, there are two accounts about the connection of Cyprian and Justina.

The first version says that Cyprian met Justina one day, and was captivated by her beauty. He fell in love with her, and when he tried to court her, she turned him off. The second version mentions that a young pagan man of loose manners set his eyes on Justina, so he fell in love with her and desired her, but she refused.

Then, he came to Cyprian for help. In both cases Cyprian sought to entice Justina with his knowledge in magic and consorting with evil spirits. Cyprian went to great lengths to win the girl, but in vain. He tried all his magic spells, but failed miserably because Justina was preserved by the power of the cross.

Therefore, his curiosity was aroused; he wished to know the God of the Christians, the mighty God who overpowered all his demons and sorcery. He devoted himself to Christianity and learned it. Thus, he, too, was converted to Christ Jesus.

As a result, Cyprian brought together all his books of magic and burned them in public. He also collected his money and distributed it to the poor. His only concern was to atone for his many sins and his harm to people with tears and acts of charity that would outweigh his previous evil deeds.

After being a sorcerer who attracted people by magic powers and demonic acts, a gentle virgin came and charmed him with her beauty and attracted him to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then the bishop of the city ordained him a priest. Some also say that he became a bishop and made Justina a deaconess.

 At that time, the storm of persecution hit the Christians, under emperors Diocletian and Maximian. Cyprian and Justina were arrested and tortured. They were scourged, torn apart, and thrown into heated tar. Finally, they were beheaded in Rome in 304 and received the crown of martyrdom. 

We shall note that Cyprian of Antioch has been confused in history with Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage, who was martyred in 258 AD. Hence, we do not find him a liturgical service in our books, but he is mentioned in the Orthodox Church Calendar on the 31st of August and he is one of the early fathers of the Church.