In the city of Antioch there lived a certain maiden Justina, who was very pious and devoted herself entirely to Christ. She spent her days and nights in prayer and maintained the strictest abstinence: she ate and drank very little, slept little, did not engage in empty conversations and tried not to see or hear anything that was not useful. Justina lived this way because she loved God with all her heart and neglected everything for Him.

But the devil was jealous of her holiness and, deciding to destroy Justina, inspired one person with the desire to seduce her from the true path. This man, Aglaid, began to persuade Justina to break God’s commandments, but the saint resolutely refused. Then Aglaid tried to force her to commit lawlessness, but Justina called her neighbors and they defended her. Not knowing what to do, Aglaid decided to turn to the wizard.

In Antioch lived a great magician named Cyprian, a friend of Satan, who submitted to him in everything. Since childhood, he devoted himself to serving demons and was very successful in unclean knowledge. The devil taught Cyprian to disturb the air and create storms, harm gardens and fields, and send diseases and ulcers to people. Satan subjugated Cyprian to a horde of demons who fulfilled his evil desires.

It was Aglaidas who came to him, promising to pay a lot of money if only Cyprian would seduce Justina from the true path. The sorcerer agreed and sent one of the demons. He sowed unclean thoughts in Justina’s mind and began to induce her to sin in every possible way. But the saint, sensing the enemy’s attack, cried out to Christ for help, and the demon ran away in shame.

Then Cyprian sent an even worse demon, and he attacked the ascetic with even greater force. Justina intensified her fast, dressed in a thorny hair shirt and, fervently praying to God, defeated this enemy.

In a rage, the evil wizard called upon all the demonic power and even Satan himself, but the demons could no longer not only get closer to Justina, but even hear about her. Cyprian was surprised and asked them why they could not defeat Justina. And the devil told him that he could not look at the sign of the cross, but ran from it, because it, like fire, scorched demons and drove them away.

And Cyprian began to take revenge on Justina: he brought various disasters on her relatives and friends and struck her herself with illness, many people and animals in the city were covered with sores, and everyone was plunged into sadness. But the holy ascetic fervently prayed to Christ, and the demonic obsession ceased: the ulcers disappeared, and the sick recovered.

It was then that Cyprian realized that the power of demons can do nothing against the name of God and the sign of the cross. He renounced Satan and firmly turned to the Lord. The devil rushed at Cyprian, wanting to kill him, but he prayed to God:

- God of Justina, help me! - and made the sign of the cross. And the devil ran away from him.

Then Cyprian went to the church to the bishop and gave him all his books of magic to be burned, and the next day he was baptized. Seeing the sincerity of his repentance, the bishop very soon made Cyprian a deacon, and just a year later a priest. Cyprian labored intensely in prayer and led the most strict life. Justina, hearing about his conversion, rejoiced with all her heart and thanked God for his mercy. After a short time, Cyprian was consecrated as a bishop, and he made Saint Justina the abbess of the nunnery. Seeing Cyprian's conversion and his pure Christian life, many pagans, enlightened by him with the word of truth, also turned to Christ. The devil became increasingly embittered against Cyprian and Justina and, unable to defeat them himself, finally incited the ruler of the region to torture and kill the saints. The ruler put them in prison and demanded that they renounce Christ. They bravely endured all the torture and joyfully bowed down under the sword.

The multitude of miracles and healings that took place at the relics of the saints cannot be described. The Hieromartyr Cyprian left no one unconsoled, and he gave everyone exactly what was most needed.

A son was found

The servant of God N. lost her son. A fifteen-year-old teenager left home and never returned. For a long time, the mother searched for the missing boy, but to no avail. Having learned about the arrival of the relics of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina at the Conception Monastery, N. hurried to the monastery to ask the Hieromartyr Cyprian in fervent prayer for her need. And a miracle happened: soon after visiting the monastery, N. discovered her son in one of the hospitals near Moscow, where he had been with a severe traumatic brain injury for a long time. Shocked by what had happened, joyful from meeting her son, the mother came to the monastery to thank the holy martyr Cyprian for the miracle of finding her son.

"Now I can talk..."

Servant of God N. underwent throat surgery, during which doctors accidentally touched his vocal cords. As a result, N. lost his voice and could only whisper. Doctors did not find it possible to fix the ligaments. Arriving at the monastery to the relics of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina, N. asked the saints for help. The next day, when he woke up, he discovered that he could speak and heard not hissing and wheezing, but his own real voice. In amazement and joy, he called the doctors he was treating and, introducing himself, explained that he could now speak. “This can’t be!” - the doctors were amazed.

“Mom, it doesn’t hurt me anymore”

A mother and her four-year-old daughter came to the Hieromartyr Cyprian with their misfortune. The girl developed stomatitis; the disease progressed, and the baby could no longer swallow. The situation was serious. The mother gave her daughter consecrated water to drink, applied it to the holy relics, and anointed her with consecrated oil. The next day, the joyful girl told her mother that nothing hurt anymore. The touched mother came with her daughter to the monastery to thank her healer.

“When the Lord punished me, He did not give me over to death.”

In one reviving convent near Bolkhov, on the eve of a big holiday, such an incident occurred. The evening before the holiday, the abbess gave her blessing to stop all work. One novice decided to complete her assigned obedience of putting things in the attic. Having once again climbed the stairs, she suddenly stumbled and flew down. She fell, hitting her chest on the table, and some things fell on top of her. When the alarmed sisters came running to help, the “miserable girl” was barely alive. She couldn’t breathe; there was terrible pain in her chest and back. What to do? They resorted to the help of the shrine. The victim’s chest was anointed twice with consecrated oil from the relics of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina. After the second time, the novice sighed and said that she felt good. Indeed, after some time she was able to get up and move around without assistance. What happened was regarded as the obvious mercy of God through the prayers of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina.

Hieromartyr Cyprian is terrible for unclean spirits

During the period that the relics were in the monastery, a considerable number of people possessed by an evil spirit—possessed people—came here. When they approached the holy relics, they began to scream, their bodies shook, and often several guards could not lead the sufferers to the relics. After kissing, these people became quiet, lost their strength, and were led away by the arms. When they screamed, their lips did not move, and the sounds came from somewhere deep in the body. Sometimes words were heard cursing the Hieromartyr Cyprian, recognizing his strength, that he was God’s favorite. There was also evidence that the evil spirit clings to its presence in a person in every possible way and does not want to let the soul out from under its power. It often happened that the possessed approached the relics several times, and each time they felt better. There were also cases of visible lasting relief. Among the possessed were small children; at first they did not agree to take the kiss, cried, and broke free from their parents’ hands. When they were applied to the relics, they shuddered and screamed, but then, as a rule, they calmed down.

Such incidents made a deep impression on everyone present. For many who saw those possessed by demons, this served as a sobering up, for a more serious attitude towards that invisible spiritual warfare that has been going on continuously since the beginning of time. Once, through the mouth of a sick woman, an unclean spirit expressed his powerless hatred of prayer, of invoking the Name of God.

I remember one girl named Nadezhda, 22 years old. She and her mother came to the relics every day, and the changes taking place in the girl were obvious to everyone. The first time, venerating the relics, she began to struggle, scream, and then began to squirm in the most incredible way, so much so that she even stood on her head. Mom, with the help of several men, lifted her and sat her on a bench not far from the ark with the relics. Nadezhda calmed down and began to quietly pray. All day long he and his mother sat and listened to prayer singing. Nadya watched the candles by the candlestick. She had seizures from time to time. She fell to the floor unconscious, then came to her senses. On the last day of the relics’ stay, she venerated the shrine several times without outside help and calmly walked away. Her health has improved significantly. Mom was incredibly happy. She said that the spirit has been tormenting her daughter since she was 13 years old. They visited many holy places, and at times the daughter felt better. Mom admitted that the relics of the Holy Martyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina have special power. Nowhere has the girl felt as good as here. They said goodbye to the monastery with gratitude, promising to come and pray.

One sick woman, approaching the sisters in church, warned that she had been possessed by an unclean spirit for a long time, 35 years, and it was difficult for even six men to cope with her. The sisters called the guards and some of the parishioners. Several times six men tried to lead her to the relics, but were thrown aside.

There were cases when those who came did not suspect that they were possessed by an evil spirit, and when they began to shudder or “as if they were being showered with fire,” it was a real shock for them.

During the days of the presence of the holy relics, the monastery was visited by many pilgrims, about 90 thousand in total. Among them were representatives of the Government of the Russian Federation and Moscow, prominent public and government figures. Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, monastery governors and brethren, and abbess and sisters came to venerate the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina. Whole parishes came, sometimes at night: for example, a bus arrived from Tula at 2.30 am and brought 60 people, including small children. A Sunday school group of 15 people, led by a priest, arrived from the Vyatka diocese, having arranged a reception in advance, and the children endured all the difficulties of a long journey with great patience.

There were different people among the pilgrims. Some crossed the threshold of the temple for the first time, others went to the relics “for company,” because “everyone is coming.” Some were driven by everyday need, an insoluble problem, some by curiosity, some by fear.

It would be more accurate to say that God’s grace, acting through His saints, the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina, led people to the temple to cleanse, strengthen, enlighten, heal, and instruct, for the Lord loves His creation and does not desire its destruction, but salvation.

And now, when a lot of time has passed since the memorable visit, many people are flocking to the Conception Monastery in the hope of the help of the Holy Martyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina, who help people get rid of passions, learn virtue, unite with Christ and inherit eternal life.

With a contrite heart and tears, they venerate the icon of the holy martyr Cyprian and the martyr Justina with a particle of the celibate relics, and come to prayer services for these saints, who are regularly served in the monastery, in the temple and at home the akathist is read to them. And by their faith they receive healing, for the Lord said: “I do not want the death of the sinner, but that the sinner should turn from his way and live” (Ezek. 33:11).

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Cyprian

Holy servant of God, holy disciple of Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for all who come running to you! Accept this praise from us, the unworthy; ask the Lord God for strength in weaknesses, for consolation in sorrows, and for all that is useful in our life; Offer up your blessed prayer to the Lord, may he protect us from the falls of sins, may he teach us true repentance, may he deliver us from the captivity of the devil and all captivity of unclean spirits and tame those who offend us. Be a strong champion for us against all enemies, visible and invisible; grant us patience in temptation and at the hour of our death show us intercession from the torturers in the air trials; May we, led by you, reach Heavenly Jerusalem and be honored in the Heavenly Kingdom with all the saints to glorify and sing the Most Holy Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

The Life and Suffering of the Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Holy Martyr Justina

During the reign of Decius1 there lived in Antioch2 a certain philosopher3 and famous sorcerer4 named Cyprian, originally from Carthage5. Coming from wicked parents, even as a child he was dedicated by them to the service of the pagan god Apollo. For seven years he was given to sorcerers to learn sorcery and demonic wisdom. Upon reaching the age of ten, he was sent by his parents to prepare for priestly service on Mount Olympus,7 which the pagans called the home of the gods; there were countless idols in which demons lived. On this mountain, Cyprian learned all the devil's tricks: he comprehended various demonic transformations, learned to change the properties of the air, induce winds, produce thunder and rain, disturb the sea waves, harm gardens, vineyards and fields, send diseases and ulcers to people, and generally learned destructive wisdom and evil-filled devilish activity. He saw there countless hordes of demons with the prince of darkness at their head, whom some stood before, others served, others exclaimed, praising their prince, and others were sent into the world to seduce people. There he also saw them in imaginary images of pagan gods and goddesses, as well as various ghosts and apparitions, which he learned to summon during a strict forty-day fast; After sunset he ate, and not bread or any other food, but oak acorns.

When he was fifteen years old, he began to listen to the lessons of the seven great priests, from whom he learned many demonic secrets. Then he went to the city of Argos8, where, after serving the goddess Hera9 for some time, he learned many seductions from her priest. He also lived in Tavropol10, serving Artemis, and from there he went to Lacedaemon11, where he learned to use various sorceries and obsessions to call the dead from their graves and force them to speak. At the age of twenty, Cyprian came to Egypt, and in the city of Memphis12 he studied even greater sorcery and sorcery. In the thirtieth year he went to the Chaldeans13 and, having learned stargazing there, completed his teaching, after which he returned to Antioch, having been committed in every crime. So he became a sorcerer, sorcerer and murderer, a great friend and faithful slave of the infernal prince14, with whom he talked face to face, receiving great honor from him, as he himself openly testified.

Believe me,” he said, “that I saw the prince of darkness himself, for I appeased him with sacrifices; I greeted him and spoke to him and his elders; he fell in love with me, praised my intelligence and said in front of everyone: “Here is the new Zamri15, always ready for obedience and worthy of communicating with us!” And he promised to make me a prince upon my departure from the body, and during my earthly life to help me in everything; At the same time, he gave me a regiment of demons to serve. When I left him, he turned to me with the words: “Take courage, zealous Cyprian, get up and accompany me: let all the demonic elders marvel at you.” As a result of this, all his princes were attentive to me, seeing the honor shown to me. His appearance was like a flower; his head was crowned with a crown made (not in reality, but ghostly) of gold and shiny stones, as a result of which the whole space was illuminated, and his clothes were amazing. When he turned in one direction or another, the whole place shook; many evil spirits of various degrees obediently stood at his throne. I, too, gave myself entirely to his service, obeying his every command.

This is how Cyprian himself spoke about himself after his conversion.

From this it is clear what kind of person Cyprian was: as a friend of demons, he committed all their deeds, harming people and deceiving them. While living in Antioch, he seduced many people to all sorts of iniquities, destroyed many with poison and sorcery, and sacrificed young men and maidens to demons. He taught many his disastrous sorcery: some to fly through the air, others to swim in boats on the clouds, and others to walk on the waters. He was revered and glorified by all pagans as the chief priest and wisest servant of their vile gods. Many turned to him in their needs, and he helped them with the demonic power with which he was filled: he helped some in fornication, others in anger, enmity, revenge, envy. Already all of him was in the depths of hell and in the mouth of the devil, he was the son of Gehenna, a participant in the demonic inheritance and their eternal death. The Lord, who did not want the death of the sinner, by His indescribable goodness and mercy not overcome by human sins, deigned to seek out this lost man, to extract him from the abyss, mired in the depths of hell, and save him, in order to show all people His mercy, for there is no sin that can defeat Him. philanthropy. He saved Cyprian from death in the following way.

At that time, there lived in the same place, in Antioch, a certain girl named Justina. She came from pagan parents: her father was an idol priest named Edesius, and her mother was called Cleodonia. One day, sitting at the window in her house, this girl, then already of age, accidentally heard words of salvation from the lips of a passing deacon named Prailius. He spoke about the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ - that He was born of the Most Pure Virgin and, having performed many miracles, deigned to suffer for the sake of our salvation, rose from the dead with glory, ascended into heaven, sat down at the right hand of the Father and reigns forever. This sermon of the deacon fell on good soil, in the heart of Justina, and soon began to bear fruit, uprooting the thorns of unbelief in her. Justina wanted to learn the faith better and more completely from the deacon, but did not dare to seek him, restrained by girlish modesty. However, she secretly went to the Church of Christ and, often listening to the word of God, with the influence of the Holy Spirit on her heart, she believed in Christ. Soon she convinced her mother of this, and then led her elderly father to faith. Seeing the mind of his daughter and hearing her wise words, Edesius reasoned with himself: “Idols are made by human hands and have neither soul nor breath, and therefore - how can they be gods?” Reflecting on this, one night he saw in a dream, by Divine permission, a wonderful vision: he saw a great host of luminous angels, and among them was the Savior of the world, Christ, who said to him:

Come to Me and I will give you the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rising in the morning, Edesius went with his wife and daughter to a Christian bishop named Ontat, asking him to teach them the faith of Christ and perform holy baptism on them. At the same time, he related the words of his daughter and the angelic vision he himself had seen. Hearing this, the bishop rejoiced at their conversion and, having instructed them in the faith of Christ, baptized Edesius, his wife Cleodonia and daughter Justina, and then, having communed them with the Holy Mysteries, sent them away in peace. When Edesius became stronger in the faith of Christ, the bishop, seeing his piety, made him a presbyter. After this, having lived virtuously and in the fear of God for a year and six months, Edesius ended his life in holy faith. Justina labored valiantly in keeping the commandments of the Lord and, having loved her Bridegroom Christ, served Him with diligent prayers, virginity and chastity, fasting and great abstinence. But the enemy, the hater of the human race, seeing her life like this, envied her virtues and began to harm her, causing various disasters and sorrows.

At that time, there lived in Antioch a certain young man named Aglaid, the son of rich and noble parents. He lived luxuriously, completely surrendering to the vanity of this world. One day he saw Justina when she was going to church and was struck by her beauty. The devil instilled evil intentions in his heart. Inflamed with lust, Aglaid began to try by all means to gain the favor and love of Justina and, through seduction, to lead the pure lamb of Christ to the defilement he had planned. He watched all the paths along which the girl had to go, and, meeting her, spoke flattering speeches to her, praising her beauty and glorifying her; showing his love for her, he tried to entice her into fornication with a cunningly woven network of seduction. The girl turned away and avoided him, abhorring him and not even wanting to listen to his flattering and crafty speeches. Not cooling in his lust for her beauty, the young man sent to her with a request that she agree to become his wife.

She answered him:

My groom is Christ; I serve Him and for His sake I maintain my purity. He protects both my soul and body from all defilement.

Hearing such an answer from the chaste maiden, Aglaid, incited by the devil, became even more inflamed with passion. Unable to seduce her, he plotted to kidnap her by force. Gathering reckless young men like himself to help, he waylaid the girl on the path along which she usually went to church to pray; there he met her and, grabbing her, forcibly dragged her into his house. She started screaming loudly, hitting him in the face and spitting on him. Hearing her cries, the neighbors ran out of their houses and snatched the immaculate lamb, Saint Justina, from the hands of the wicked youth, as if from a wolf’s mouth. The rioters fled, and Aglaid returned to his home in shame. Not knowing what to do next, he, with an increase in unclean lust in him, decided on a new evil deed: he went to the great sorcerer and sorcerer - Cyprian, the priest of idols, and, telling him his grief, asked him for help, promising to give him a lot of gold and silver. After listening to Aglaidas, Cyprian consoled him, promising to fulfill his desire.

“I,” he said, “will make sure that the girl herself will seek your love and will feel a passion for you even stronger than you do for her.”

Having thus consoled the young man, Cyprian sent him away reassured. Then taking books on his secret art, he called upon one of the unclean spirits, in whom he was sure that he could soon inflame Justina’s heart with passion for this young man. He reluctantly promised to fulfill this and said proudly:

This is not a difficult task for me, for many times I shook cities, ravaged walls, destroyed houses, caused bloodshed and parricides, created enmity and great anger between brothers and spouses, and brought many who took a vow of virginity to sin; I instilled in the monks who settled in the mountains and were accustomed to strict fasting, who never even thought about the flesh, lust and taught them to serve carnal passions; I again turned people who repented and turned away from sin to evil deeds; I plunged many chaste people into fornication. Will I really not be able to persuade this girl to love Aglaid? What am I saying? I will soon show my strength. Here, take this potion (he handed over a vessel filled with something) and give it to that young man: let him sprinkle Justina’s house with it, and you will see that what I said will come true.

Having said this, the demon disappeared. Cyprian called Aglaidas and sent him to secretly sprinkle Justina's house from the devil's vessel. When this was done, the prodigal demon entered there with kindled arrows of carnal lust in order to wound the girl’s heart with fornication and inflame her flesh with unclean lust.

Justina had the custom of offering prayers to the Lord every night. And so, when, according to custom, she got up at three o'clock in the morning and prayed to God, she suddenly felt excitement in her body, a storm of bodily lust and the flame of hell fire. She remained in such excitement and internal struggle for quite a long time: the young man Aglaid came to her memory, and bad thoughts were born to her. The girl was surprised and ashamed of herself, feeling that her blood was boiling, like in a cauldron; She was now thinking about what she had always abhorred as filth. But, in her prudence, Justina realized that this struggle arose in her from the devil; She immediately turned to the weapon of the sign of the cross, ran to God with warm prayer and from the depths of her heart cried out to Christ, her Bridegroom:

Lord my God, Jesus Christ! Behold, my enemies rose up against me, prepared a net to ensnare me, and exhausted my soul. But I remembered Your name in the night and rejoiced, and now, when they oppress me, I run to You and hope that my enemy will not triumph over me, for You know, O Lord my God, that I, Your servant, have saved for You I entrusted the purity of my body and my soul to You. Save Your sheep, good Shepherd, and do not give them up to be devoured by the beast that seeks to devour me; grant me victory over the evil lust of my flesh.

Having prayed long and earnestly, the holy virgin put the enemy to shame. Defeated by her prayer, he fled from her in shame, and calm again came in Justina’s body and heart; the flame of lust went out, the struggle ceased, the boiling blood calmed down. Justina glorified God and sang a song of victory. The demon returned to Cyprian with the sad news that he had achieved nothing.

Cyprian asked him why he could not defeat the maiden.

The demon, albeit reluctantly, revealed the truth:

I could not overcome her because I saw a certain sign on her, which I was afraid of.

Then Cyprian summoned a more evil demon and sent him to seduce Justina. He went and did much more than the first, attacking the girl with greater fury. But she armed herself with warm prayer and took upon herself an even stronger feat: she put on a hair shirt and mortified her flesh with abstinence and fasting, eating only bread and water. Having thus tamed the passions of her flesh, Justina defeated the devil and drove him away in shame. He, like the first, having accomplished nothing, returned to Cyprian. Then Cyprian called one of the demonic princes, told him about the weakness of the sent demons, who could not defeat one girl, and asked him for help. He strictly reproached the former demons for their lack of skill in this matter and for their inability to ignite passion in the girl’s heart. Having reassured Cyprian and promised to seduce the girl in other ways, the demonic prince took on the appearance of a woman and entered Justina. And he began to talk piously with her, as if wanting to follow the example of her virtuous life and chastity. While talking like this, he asked the girl what could be the reward for such a strict life and for maintaining cleanliness.

Justina replied that the reward for those who live chastely is great and indescribable, and it is very surprising that people do not care at all about such a great treasure as angelic purity. Then the devil, revealing his shamelessness, began to seduce her with cunning speeches:

How could the world exist? How would people be born? After all, if Eve had retained her purity, how would the multiplication of the human race have occurred? A truly good deed is a marriage that God Himself established; The Holy Scripture praises him, saying: “Let marriage be honorable in all and the bed undefiled” (Heb. 13:4). And weren’t many of God’s saints married, which the Lord gave to people as a consolation, so that they would rejoice in their children and praise God?

Listening to these words, Justina recognized the cunning seducer - the devil, and more skillfully than Eve, she defeated him. Without continuing the conversation, she immediately resorted to the protection of the Cross of the Lord and placed its honorable sign on her face, and turned her heart to Christ, her Bridegroom. And the devil immediately disappeared - with even greater shame than the first two demons.

In great confusion, the proud prince of demons returned to Cyprian. Cyprian, having learned that he had not managed to do anything, said to the devil:

Is it really possible that you, a strong prince and more skilled than others in this matter, could not defeat the maiden? Which of you can do anything with this invincible girl’s heart? Tell me, with what weapon does she fight you and how does she make your strong strength weak?

Defeated by the power of God, the devil reluctantly confessed:

We cannot look at the sign of the cross, but we run from it, because it burns us like fire and drives us far away.

Cyprian was indignant at the devil for disgracing him, and, blaspheming the demon, said:

Such is your strength that even a weak maiden defeats you!

Then the devil, wanting to console Cyprian, made another attempt: he took on the image of Justina and went to Aglaid in the hope that, having accepted him for the real Justina, the young man would satisfy his desire and, thus, neither his demonic weakness would be revealed, nor Cyprian will not be put to shame. And so, when the demon came to Aglaid in the form of Justina, he jumped up in unspeakable joy, ran up to the imaginary virgin, hugged her and began to kiss her, saying:

It’s good that you came to me, beautiful Justina!

But as soon as the young man uttered the word “Justina,” the demon immediately disappeared, not being able to bear even the name of Justina. The young man was very frightened and, running to Cyprian, told him about what had happened. Then Cyprian, through his sorcery, gave him the image of a bird and, making him capable of flying through the air, sent him to Justina’s house, advising him to fly into her room through the window. Carried by a demon through the air, Aglaid flew in the form of a bird to Justina’s house and wanted to sit on the roof. At this time Justina happened to look out the window of her room. Seeing her, the demon left Aglaid and fled. At the same time, the ghostly appearance of Aglaid, in which he seemed like a bird, also disappeared, and the young man almost hurt himself while flying down. He grabbed the edge of the roof with his hands and, holding on to it, hung, and if he had not been lowered from there to the ground by the prayer of Saint Justina, he would have fallen, wicked, and broken. So, having achieved nothing, the young man returned to Cyprian and told him about his grief. Seeing himself humiliated, Cyprian was greatly saddened and decided to go to Justina, hoping for the power of his magic. He turned into both a woman and a bird, but before he even reached the door of Justina’s house, the ghostly likeness of a beautiful woman, as well as the bird, disappeared, and he returned with sorrow.

After this, Cyprian began to take revenge for his shame and with his sorcery brought various disasters on the house of Justina and on the houses of all her relatives, neighbors and acquaintances, just as the devil once did on the righteous Job (Job 1:15-19; 2:7). He killed their cattle, struck their slaves with plagues, and thus plunged them into excessive sorrow. He struck Justina herself with the disease, so that she lay in bed, and her mother cried for her. Justina consoled her mother with the words of the prophet David: “I will not die, but I will live and proclaim the works of the Lord” (Ps. 117:17).

Cyprian brought disaster not only on Justina and her relatives, but also on the entire city, by God’s permission, as a result of his indomitable rage and great shame. Ulcers appeared on animals and various diseases among people; and, through demonic action, a rumor spread that the great priest Cyprian would execute the city for Justina’s resistance to him. Then the most honorable citizens came to Justina and angrily urged her not to grieve Cyprian any more and to marry Aglaidas, in order to avoid even greater disasters for the whole city because of her. She calmed everyone down, saying that soon all the disasters caused by Cyprian with the help of demons would stop. And so it happened. When Saint Justina prayed fervently to God, immediately all demonic obsession ceased; all were healed of ulcers and recovered from diseases. When such a change took place, people glorified Christ, and they mocked Cyprian and his magical cunning, so that out of shame he could no longer appear among people and avoided meeting even his acquaintances. Convinced that nothing could defeat the power of the sign of the cross and the Name of Christ, Cyprian came to his senses and said to the devil:

O destroyer and seducer of all, source of all uncleanness and defilement! Now I have recognized your weakness. For if you fear even the shadow of the Cross and tremble at the Name of Christ, then what will you do when Christ Himself comes upon you? If you cannot defeat those who cross themselves, then whom will you tear out of the hands of Christ? Now I have realized what a nonentity you are; You can’t even take revenge! Having listened to you, I, the unfortunate one, was seduced and believed your cunning. Get away from me, you damned one, get away, for I should beg the Christians to have mercy on me. I should turn to pious people so that they will save me from death and take care of my salvation. Get away, get away from me, lawless one, enemy of truth, opponent and hater of all good!

Hearing this, the devil rushed at Cyprian to kill him, and, attacking, began to beat and crush him. Finding no protection anywhere and not knowing how to help himself and get rid of the cruel demonic hands, Cyprian, already barely alive, remembered the sign of the holy cross, by the power of which Justina resisted all demonic power, and exclaimed:

God of Justina, help me!

Then, raising his hand, he crossed himself, and the devil immediately jumped away from him, like an arrow shot from a bow. Having gathered his courage, Cyprian became bolder and, calling on the Name of Christ, made the sign of the cross and stubbornly resisted the demon, cursing and reproaching him. The devil, standing far from him and not daring to approach, for fear of the sign of the cross and the Name of Christ, threatened Cyprian in every possible way, saying:

Christ will not deliver you from my hands!

Then, after long and furious attacks on Cyprian, the demon roared like a lion and left.

Then Cyprian took all his books of magic and went to the Christian bishop Anthimus. Falling at the feet of the bishop, he begged to show him mercy and perform holy baptism on him. Knowing that Cyprian was a great and terrible sorcerer for everyone, the bishop thought that he had come to him with some kind of cunning, and therefore refused him, saying:

You do much evil among the pagans; Leave the Christians alone, so that you don’t die soon.

Then Cyprian confessed everything to the bishop with tears and gave him his books to be burned. Seeing his humility, the bishop taught him and instructed him in the holy faith, and then ordered him to prepare for baptism; He burned his books in front of all believing citizens.

Having left the bishop with a contrite heart, Cyprian cried about his sins, sprinkled ashes on his head and sincerely repented, crying out to the true God for the cleansing of his iniquities. Coming to church the next day, he listened to the word of God with joyful emotion, standing among the believers. When the deacon ordered the catechumens to go out, shouting: “The catechumens go out”16 - and some were already leaving - Cyprian did not want to go out, saying to the deacon:

I am a servant of Christ; don't drive me out of here.

The deacon said to him:

Since holy baptism has not yet been performed on you, you must leave the temple.

To this Cyprian replied:

Christ lives, my God, who delivered me from the devil, who kept the maiden Justina pure and had mercy on me; You will not drive me out of the church until I become a perfect Christian.

The deacon told the bishop about this, and the bishop, seeing Cyprian’s zeal and devotion to the faith of Christ, called him to himself and immediately baptized him in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Having learned about this, Saint Justina thanked God, distributed a lot of alms to the poor and made an offering to the church. On the eighth day the bishop made Cyprian a reader, on the twentieth a subdeacon, on the thirtieth a deacon, and a year later he ordained him a priest. Cyprian completely changed his life, every day he increased his exploits and, constantly mourning his previous evil deeds, improved and ascended from virtue to virtue. He was soon made a bishop and in this rank he led such a holy life that he became equal to many great saints; At the same time, he zealously cared for the flock of Christ entrusted to him. He appointed the holy maiden Justina a deaconess, and then entrusted her with a nunnery, making her abbess over other Christian maidens. With his behavior and instruction, he converted many pagans and won them for the Church of Christ. Thus, idolatry began to cease in that country, and the glory of Christ increased.

Seeing the strict life of Saint Cyprian, his concern for the faith of Christ and the salvation of human souls, the devil gnashed his teeth at him and prompted the pagans to slander him before the ruler of the eastern country in that he had disgraced the gods, turned many people away from them, and Christ, who was hostile to the gods glorifies them. And so many wicked people came to the ruler Eutholmius, who owned those countries, and slandered Cyprian and Justina, accusing them of being hostile to the gods, and the king, and all authorities - that they were confusing the people, deceiving them and leading them after himself, disposed to worship the crucified Christ. At the same time, they asked the governor to put Cyprian and Justina to death for this. Having heard the request, Eutolmius ordered to seize Cyprian and Justina and put them in prison. Then, going to Damascus, he took them with him for trial. When the prisoners of Christ, Cyprian and Justina, were brought to his trial, he asked Cyprian:

Why did you change your former glorious activities, when you were a famous servant of the gods and brought many people to them?

Saint Cyprian told the ruler how he recognized the weakness and deception of demons and understood the power of Christ, of which the demons fear and tremble, disappearing from the sign of the honorable cross, and also explained the reason for his conversion to Christ, for Whom he showed readiness to die. The torturer did not take Cyprian’s words into his heart, but, not being able to answer them, he ordered the saint to be hanged and his body flogged, and Saint Justina to be beaten on the lips and eyes. Throughout their long torment, they unceasingly confessed Christ and endured everything with thanksgiving. Then the tormentor imprisoned them and tried with gentle admonition to return them to idolatry. When he was unable to convince them, he ordered them to be thrown into the cauldron; but the boiling cauldron did not cause them any harm, and they, as if in a cool place, glorified God. Seeing this, one idol priest named Athanasius said:

In the name of the god Asclepius17, I will also throw myself into this fire and shame those wizards.

But as soon as the fire touched him, he died immediately. Seeing this, the tormentor was frightened and, not wanting to judge them any longer, sent the martyrs to the ruler Claudius in Nicomedia,18 describing everything that happened to them. This ruler condemned them to be beheaded by the sword. Then they were brought to the place of execution, then Cyprian asked himself some time for prayer, so that Justina would be executed first: he was afraid that Justina would not be frightened at the sight of his death. She joyfully bowed her head under the sword and reposed before her Bridegroom, Christ. Seeing the innocent death of these martyrs, a certain Theoktistus, who was present there, greatly regretted them and, having inflamed his heart towards God, fell to Saint Cyprian and, kissing him, declared himself a Christian. Together with Cyprian, he was immediately condemned to beheading. So they gave their souls into the hands of God; their bodies lay unburied for six days. Some of the strangers who were there secretly took them and took them to Rome, where they gave them to a virtuous and holy woman named Rufina, a relative of Claudius Caesar. She buried with honor the bodies of the holy martyrs of Christ - Cyprian, Justina and Theoctistus. At their graves many healings took place for those who came to them with faith. With their prayers may the Lord heal our illnesses, both physical and mental!

1 Decius (Decius) - Roman emperor from 249 to 271.
2 Antioch is a frequently used name for cities. Here, most likely, is Phoenician Antioch, between Syria and Palestine, or Pisidian Antioch, on the border with Phrygia, in the western part of Asia Minor.

3 Pagan sage, in the sense of a false sage.

4 In ancient times, the name “magi” or “magicians” meant wise people who had high and extensive knowledge, especially knowledge of the secret forces of nature that were inaccessible to ordinary people. At the same time, this name was associated with the concepts of magic, witchcraft, divination, spells and various deceptions and superstitions. Magic among the pagans has been highly developed since ancient times; It is spoken against in many places in the Holy Scriptures. According to many teachers of the Church, the pagan magicians performed their, sometimes remarkable, sorceries under the influence and with the help of spirits of darkness.

5 Carthage is the oldest, famous colony of the Phoenicians in northern Africa, which reached the highest degree of power in ancient history and was destroyed in 146 BC; on the ruins of ancient Carthage, under the first Roman emperors, a new Carthage arose, which existed with great splendor for a very long time. In Carthage, the pagan Greco-Roman cult was very developed, with all its superstitions, sorcery and “magical art”.

6 Apollo is one of the most revered Greco-Roman pagan gods. He was revered as the god of the sun and mental enlightenment, as well as the well-being of society and order, the guardian of the law, and the deity of predicting the future. One of the main places of his cult was, by the way, the Tempean Valley, in Northern Greece, spread out at the foot of the famous Mount Olympus in ancient times.

7 Olympus is actually an entire (southeastern) branch of the chain of mountains that forms the border between Macedonia and Thessaly, in Northern Greece. Olympus was considered by the ancient Greeks to be the seat of their pagan gods.

8 Argos is the ancient Greek capital of the eastern region of the Peloponnese (Southern Greece) - the Argolids; not far from it was the famous temple of the pagan goddess Hera.

9 Hera (Juno) was revered by the ancient Greeks and Romans as the sister and wife of their main god Zeus, the most exalted and revered among the goddesses; was considered the goddess of earth and fertility and the patroness of marriage.

10 Tavropol is actually a temple in honor of the goddess Artemis (Diana - the goddess of the moon, who was also revered as the patroness of the fresh, blooming life of nature) on the island of Icarus, in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea (Archipelago). The name of this place comes from the fact that the Greeks, equating the goddess of the ancient inhabitants of the Tauride Peninsula - Orsilokha, with Artemis, called both Tauropola indifferently.

11 Lacedaemon or Laconia is the southeastern region of the Peloponnese (Southern Greece). This name designated the main city of Laconia, Sparta, of which only small ruins now remain.

12 Memphis - the ancient powerful capital of all Egypt - was located in Middle Egypt near the Nile, between the main river and its tributary, which washed the western side of the city. Of the brilliant capital of Ancient Egypt, only the most insignificant, meager remains are now preserved near the villages of Metrasani and Mogannan.

13 Chaldeans were the Babylonian sages and scientists who were engaged in the sciences, especially astronomy and the observation of celestial bodies; they were also priests and magicians who were engaged in secret teachings, fortune telling, interpretation of dreams, etc. Subsequently, this name was used, especially in the East, to refer to all kinds of wise men, wizards and fortune-tellers, even if they were not from the Chaldeans, i.e. did not come from Babylon.

14 According to the teaching of Holy Scripture, in the dark kingdom of evil fallen spirits there is its own chief leader, whom Scripture often calls “the prince of demons,” as well as Beelzebub, Belial, Satan, etc., clearly distinguishing him from other demons who are depicted as if subordinate to him. In general, Scripture distinguishes evil spirits according to their degrees and the strength of their power.

15 In the sense of a new evil sorcerer, sorcerer and obedient servant of the devil. The name Zamri here obviously means the famous ancient Egyptian magician, who is known from ancient classical writers, famous for his extraordinary enchantments and who, according to the Fathers of the Church, was in communion with dark demonic forces.

16 The name catechumens in the ancient Church meant adults who wanted to be baptized and prepared for it through familiarization with the teachings of the Church. Having the right to enter the temple to listen to the Holy Scriptures and teachings and even to be present at the beginning of the Liturgy (at the Liturgy of the Catechumens), before the onset of the most important and significant part of the Liturgy - the Liturgy of the Faithful - they had to immediately leave the temple, about which they were loudly announced by the deacon through an exclamation, and is still preserved in the Church during the celebration of the Liturgy.

17 Asklipius, or Aesculapius, is the Greco-Roman god of medical art.

18 Nicomedia is a city in Asia Minor. Many ruins remain from the ancient flourishing Nicomedia, testifying to its glorious past.

19 Roman Emperor Claudius II reigned from 268 to 270 - Death of Sts. Cyprian, Justina and Theoctistus followed around 268.

On October 15, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Cyprian, the Martyrs Justina and Theoctistus

The legend about the holy martyrs Cyprian and Justin has existed since ancient times. They lived at the end of the 3rd - beginning of the 4th centuries. Cyprian's homeland is believed to have been Antioch, a region located in the northern part of modern Syria. From the age of 7 to 30, Cyprian studied in the largest centers of paganism - on Mount Olympus, in the cities of Argos and Tavropol, in the Egyptian city of Memphis and in Babylon. Having comprehended the wisdom of pagan philosophy and sorcery, he was ordained a priest on Olympus. Having acquired the great power of calling unclean spirits, he saw the prince of darkness himself, talked with him and received from him a regiment of demons into his service. Returning to Antioch, Cyprian began to be revered by the pagans as the chief priest, surprising people with his ability to control the elements, send pestilence and plagues. He seduced many people to all sorts of iniquities, and destroyed many with poison and sorcery.

At that time, the daughter of the pagan priest Edesias, Justina, lived there in Antioch. She was already enlightened by the Christian faith, the first idea of ​​which she received by chance, having heard words about Christ from the lips of a deacon who passed by her parents’ house while she was sitting at the window. The young pagan woman tried to learn more about Christ. Justina began to secretly go to the Church of Christ and, often listening to the word of God, with the influence of the Holy Spirit on her heart, she believed in Christ. Soon she convinced her parents of the truth of the Christian faith. One night, a pagan priest saw in a dream, by Divine permission, a wonderful vision: a great host of luminous angels, and among them was the Savior of the world, Christ, who said to him: “Come to Me, and I will give you the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Rising in the morning, Edesius went with his wife and daughter to the Christian Bishop Optatus, asking him to teach them the faith of Christ and perform Holy Baptism on them. The bishop rejoiced at their conversion and, having instructed them in the faith of Christ, baptized Edesius, his wife Cleodonia and daughter Justina, and then, having communed them with the Holy Mysteries, sent them away in peace. When Edesius became stronger in the faith of Christ, he was ordained to the rank of presbyter. After this, having lived virtuously and in the fear of God for a year and six months, Edesius ended his life in holy faith. Justina labored valiantly in keeping the commandments of the Lord and, having loved her Bridegroom Christ, served Him with diligent prayers, virginity and chastity, fasting and great abstinence.

At that time, there lived in Antioch a certain young man named Aglaid, the son of rich and noble parents. He lived luxuriously, surrendering to the vanity of this world. One day he saw Justina when the girl was going to church, and was struck by her beauty. He asked her to become his wife, but Justina, having devoted herself to Christ, refused to marry a pagan and carefully avoided even meeting him. He, however, persistently pursued her. Seeing the failure of all efforts, Aglaid turned to the famous sorcerer Cyprian and asked him to influence the heart of Justina with his art. After listening to Aglaid, Cyprian promised to fulfill his wish. “I,” he said, “will make sure that the girl herself will seek your love and feel a passion for you even stronger than you do for her.”

Cyprian took books on his secret art and called on one of the wicked spirits with the confidence that he could soon inflame Justina’s heart with passion for this young man. The demon willingly promised to fulfill this and gave a potion with which to sprinkle Justina’s house.

Cyprian called Aglaidas and sent him to secretly sprinkle Justina's house from the devil's vessel. When this was done, the prodigal demon entered there with kindled arrows of carnal lust in order to wound the girl’s heart with fornication and inflame her flesh with unclean lust.

Justina had the custom of offering prayers to the Lord every night. And so, when, according to custom, she got up at three o’clock in the morning and prayed to God, she suddenly felt excitement in her body, a storm of bodily lust and the flame of hell fire. She remained in such excitement and internal struggle for quite a long time: the young man Aglaid came to her memory, and bad thoughts were born to her. The girl was surprised and ashamed of herself. But in her prudence, Justina realized that this struggle arose in her from the devil; she immediately turned to the weapon of the sign of the cross, ran to God with warm prayer and from the depths of her heart cried out to Christ, her Bridegroom.

Having prayed long and earnestly, the holy virgin put the enemy to shame. Defeated by her prayer, he fled from her in shame, and again calm came in Justina’s body and heart; the flame of lust went out, the struggle ceased, the boiling blood calmed down. Justina glorified God and sang a song of victory. The demon returned to Cyprian with the sad news that he had achieved nothing. Cyprian asked him why he could not defeat the girl? The demon, although reluctantly, revealed the truth: “I could not overcome her because I saw in her a certain sign, which I was afraid of.”

Then Cyprian summoned a more evil demon and sent him to seduce Justina. He went and did much more than the first, attacking the girl with greater fury. But she armed herself with warm prayer and took upon herself an even stronger feat: she put on a hair shirt and mortified her flesh with abstinence and fasting, eating only bread and water. Having thus tamed the passions of her flesh, Justina defeated the devil and drove him away in shame. He, like the first, having accomplished nothing, returned to Cyprian. Then Cyprian called one of the demonic princes, told him about the weakness of the sent demons, who could not defeat one girl, and asked him for help. Having reassured Cyprian and promised to seduce the girl in other ways, the demonic prince took on the appearance of a woman and entered Justina. And he began to talk piously with her, as if wanting to follow the example of her virtuous life and chastity. While talking like this, he asked the girl what could be the reward for such a strict life and for maintaining cleanliness.

Justina replied that the reward for those who live chastely is great and indescribable, and it is very surprising that people do not care at all about such a great treasure as angelic purity. Then the devil, revealing his shamelessness, began to seduce her with cunning speeches. But Justina recognized the cunning seducer and skillfully defeated him. Without continuing the conversation, she immediately resorted to the protection of the Cross of the Lord and placed its honest sign on her face, and turned her heart to Christ. And the devil immediately disappeared with even greater shame than the first two demons.

In great confusion, the proud prince of demons returned to Cyprian. Cyprian, having learned that he had not managed to do anything, said to the devil: “Tell me, with what weapon does she fight you and how does she make your strong strength weak?”

Defeated by the power of God, the devil reluctantly confessed: “We cannot look at the sign of the cross, but we run from it, because it, like fire, scorches us and drives us far away.”

Cyprian was indignant at the devil for disgracing him and, blaspheming the demon, said: “Such is your strength that even a weak maiden defeats you!”

Then the devil, wanting to console Cyprian, made another attempt: he took on the image of Justina and went to Aglaid in the hope that, having accepted him for the real Justina, the young man would satisfy his desire, and thus neither his demonic weakness would be revealed, nor Cyprian will not be put to shame. And so, when the demon came to Aglaid in the form of Justina, he jumped up in unspeakable joy, ran up to the imaginary virgin, hugged her and called her by name.

But as soon as the young man uttered the word “Justina,” the demon immediately disappeared, not being able to bear even the name of Justina. The young man was very frightened and, running to Cyprian, told him about what had happened. Then Cyprian, through his sorcery, gave him the image of a bird and, making him capable of flying through the air, sent him to Justina’s house, advising him to fly into her room through the window.

Carried by a demon through the air, Aglaid flew in the form of a bird to Justina’s house and wanted to sit on the roof. At this time, Justina looked out the window of her room. Seeing her, the demon left Aglaid and fled. At the same time, the ghostly appearance of Aglaid, in which he seemed like a bird, also disappeared, and the young man almost hurt himself while flying down, but was lowered to the ground by the prayer of Saint Justina. So, having achieved nothing, the young man returned to Cyprian and told him about his grief. Seeing himself humiliated, Cyprian was greatly saddened and decided to go to Justina, hoping for the power of his magic. He turned into both a woman and a bird, but before he even reached the door of Justina’s house, the ghostly likeness of a beautiful woman, as well as a bird, disappeared, and he returned in sorrow.

After this, Cyprian began to take revenge for his shame and, with his magic, to bring various disasters to the house of Justina and to the houses of all her relatives, neighbors and acquaintances. He killed their cattle, struck their slaves with plagues, and thus plunged them into excessive sorrow. Finally, he struck Justina with the disease, so that she lay in bed, and her mother cried for her. Justina consoled her mother with the words of the prophet David: “I will not die, but I will live and tell the works of the Lord” (Ps. 117:17).

Cyprian brought disaster not only on Justina and her relatives, but also on the entire city. Ulcers appeared on animals and various diseases among people; and a rumor spread through demonic action that the great priest Cyprian would execute the city for Justina’s resistance to him. Then the most honorable citizens came to Justina and angrily urged her not to grieve Cyprian any more and to marry Aglaidas, in order to avoid even greater disasters because of her for the whole city.

She calmed everyone down, saying that soon all the disasters caused by Cyprian with the help of demons would stop. And so it happened. When Saint Justina prayed fervently to God, immediately all demonic obsession ceased; everyone was healed of ulcers, recovered from diseases.

When such a change took place, people glorified Christ, and they mocked Cyprian and his magical cunning, so that out of shame he could no longer appear among people and avoided meeting even his acquaintances.

This victory and the triumph of the Christian woman were at the same time a complete disgrace to Cyprian, who considered himself a powerful sorcerer and boasted of his knowledge of the secrets of nature. But this also served to save a person gifted with a strong mind, which, mainly through error, was wasted on unworthy use. Cyprian realized that there was something higher than his knowledge and mysterious art, than that dark force on whose help he was counting, trying to defeat the unenlightened crowd. He realized that all this is nothing compared to the knowledge of the God Whom Justina confesses.

Seeing that all his means were powerless against a weak creature - a young girl armed only with prayer and the sign of the cross, Cyprian comprehended the meaning of these two truly omnipotent weapons. He came to the Christian bishop Anthimus († 302; commemorated September 3/16), confessed everything with tears and gave his books to be burned. Seeing such humility, the bishop taught Cyprian and instructed him in the holy faith, and then ordered him to prepare for baptism; He burned his books in front of all believing citizens.

Having left the bishop with a contrite heart, Cyprian cried about his sins and sincerely repented, appealing to the true God for the cleansing of his iniquities. Arriving at church the next day, he did not want to leave until he was baptized.

Having learned about this, Justina thanked God, distributed a lot of alms to the poor and made an offering to the church. On the eighth day the bishop made Cyprian a reader; on the twentieth - to subdeacon; on the thirtieth day he became a deacon, and a year later he was ordained a priest. Cyprian changed his life, increased his exploits every day and, constantly mourning his previous evil deeds, improved and ascended from virtue to virtue. He was soon appointed bishop, converted so many pagans to Christ that in his diocese there was no one to offer sacrifices to idols and their temples were abandoned. Saint Justina retired to a monastery and was elected abbess.

Under Emperor Diocletian, during the persecution of Christians, Bishop Cyprian and Abbess Justina were captured and subjected to severe torture. Cyprian's body was planed, and Justina's mouth and eyes were beaten; then they were thrown into a boiling cauldron, but it did not cause them any harm, and they, as if in a cool place, glorified God. They were then condemned to be beheaded by the sword.

When the martyrs were brought to the place of execution, Cyprian asked himself time for prayer so that Justina would be executed first: he feared that Justina would be frightened at the sight of his death. She joyfully bowed her head under the sword and presented herself to her Bridegroom, Christ. Seeing the innocent death of the martyrs, the warrior Theoktist, who was present there, greatly regretted them and, his heart inflamed with God, declared himself a Christian. Together with Cyprian, he was immediately condemned to beheading. So they gave their souls into the hands of God; their bodies lay unburied for six days. Some of the wanderers who were there secretly took them and took them to Rome, where they gave them to a virtuous and holy woman named Rufina, a relative of Claudius Caesar. She buried the body of St. with honor. Martyrs of Christ Cyprian, Justina and Theoctistus. At their graves many healings took place for those who came to them with faith.

Knowing about the miraculous conversion to Christ of the holy martyr Cyprian, who was a servant of the prince of darkness and who broke his bonds by faith, Christians often resort to the prayerful help of the saint in the fight against unclean spirits.

In Cyprus, in the village of Meniko near Nicosia there is a temple of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina, where their holy relics rest. The relics were brought to Cyprus from Syria in 1298.

Prayers to the Saints

Memory: October 2 / 15

Being a sorcerer, Cyprian, by order of a rich pagan youth, cast a spell on the holy virgin Justina in order to persuade her to marry. However, seeing the futility of his attempts to break her, he converted to Christianity, and himself suffered martyrdom for Christ in the rank of bishop together with the holy virgin Justina. The warrior Theoktist, seeing the innocent suffering of the saints, declared himself a Christian and was executed along with them.

Through the prayers of Saints Cyprian and Justina, many Christians got rid of evil spirits, received protection from demonic temptations, they pray for the admonition of people involved in the occult, magic, fortune telling, etc.

***

Troparion to the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina, tone 4

And having been a communicant in character, and a vicar of the throne, having become an apostle, you gained your deed, inspired by God, in a vision: for this reason, correcting the word of truth, and for the sake of faith, you suffered even to the point of blood, Hieromartyr Cyprian, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina, tone 1

Turning from magical art, the wise God, to the knowledge of the Divine, you appeared to the world as the wisest physician, granting healing to those who honor you, Cyprian and Justina: with this we prayed to the Lover of Mankind, the Lady, to save our souls.

Prayer to the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina

Oh, holy martyr Cyprian and martyr Justino! Hear our humble prayer. Even though you naturally died as a martyr for Christ during your temporary life, you do not depart from us in spirit, always following the commandments of the Lord, teaching us and patiently bearing your cross with us. Behold, boldness towards Christ God and His Most Pure Mother was acquired by nature. Even now, be prayer books and intercessors for us unworthy (names). Be our intercessors of the fortress, so that through your intercession we may remain unharmed from demons, wise men and evil men, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Martyr Cyprian

Oh, holy servant of God, holy disciple of Cyprus, quick helper and prayer book for all those who come running to you. Accept our unworthy praise from us, and ask the Lord God for strength in our infirmities, healing in illnesses, consolation in sorrows, and everything useful in our life. Offer up to the Lord your powerful prayer, may he protect us from our sinful falls, may he teach us true repentance, may he deliver us from the captivity of the devil and all the actions of unclean spirits, and deliver us from those who offend us. Be a strong champion for us against all enemies, visible and invisible, in temptation, grant us patience and at the hour of our death, show us intercession from the torturers in our aerial ordeals, so that, led by you, we will reach Mount Jerusalem and be honored in the Kingdom of Heaven with all the saints to glorify and sing the praises of the All-Holy Name Father and Son and Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Church of Cyprian and Justina in Meniko.

The story is not mine. Narrated by one of the community members.

About Orthodox Cyprus is a topic for several volumes of thick books. It is not only the island of Aphrodite, but also the island of Saints... St. Helena visited Cyprus, and Lazarus the Fourth Day after his resurrection served there for 30 years, and many others were there... There are many revered shrines, and all the temples and monasteries - about 600.

Pilgrimage tourism is developed in Cyprus, but none of the routes includes the Church of Cyprian and Justina. And Cypriots will not tell everyone about one of their favorite temples, although every Cypriot knows the history of its appearance from childhood...

In ancient Antioch there lived a sorcerer, pagan Cyprian, originally from Carthage. Maybe he wasn’t evil in himself, but he worked on orders from unkind people. And there lived the blessed girl Justina, who, moreover, was fabulously beautiful. The rich young man Aglaid fell deeply in love with her beauty, and a terrible tragedy came out of this love of his...

Having received a complete blow from Justina, Aglaid turned to the sorcerer for help. Cyprian tried three times to provoke a storm of bodily lust in Justina with the help of demons, but the girl resisted. The demons were put to shame, and Cyprian, seeing the power of the Christian faith, believed himself and even after some time became a bishop.

Evil people slandered Cyprian and Justina, which ultimately led to the execution of the latter. For six days the bodies lay without burial (and even then miracles of healing began to occur near them), until good wanderers took them to Rome...

Then some of the relics were transported to Antioch, from where they were brought to Cyprus by Christian refugees fleeing the Muslim invasion. And they buried the holy remains in the small village of Meniko (emphasis on the first syllable), where the suffering immediately began to flock...

Among the others who were healed was Petros I himself (1359-1369). Yes, the Cypriots had their own Peter the First, maybe not so great, but nimble and restless. When visiting the church, Petros observed a disappointing picture: poor patients, spread out on the holy relics, tried to gnaw off or pinch off a piece of the shrine in order to continue treatment at home.

It was then that, by order of the king, the construction of a new church began, and the relics were placed in a silver ark.

The temple stands to this day; inside, from under the bright paintings, sections of ancient frescoes are visible, behind the curtain is the icon of St. Cyprian (1613).
In the courtyard there is a holy spring for everyone (well, water has a very specific taste). From the outside the temple is an ordinary Byzantine church.
But what is most unforgettable in this temple is the atmosphere of warmth, homeliness, peace and comfort.
In the church you can smile, you can take a photo with Father Savvas or Cyprian, who are very respected in Cyprus. By the way, Cypriot women do not have to cover their heads in church (this custom arose during the Turkish attack - in order to be fundamentally different from Muslim women), but our custom is treated with great respect.

On October 15, the Orthodox Church celebrates the day of remembrance of the holy martyrs Cyprian and Justinia. The holy martyrs suffered in Nicomedia, under Diocletian, in 304. (The Life of the Holy Martyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justinia the Maiden).

The Life of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justinia the Maiden.

	Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justina.

The legend about the holy martyrs Cyprian and Justinia has existed since ancient times. They lived at the end of the 3rd - beginning of the 4th century. Cyprian's homeland is supposed to have been Antioch, in northern Syria. It is known that Cyprian studied philosophy and sorcery in pagan Greece and Egypt and surprised everyone with his knowledge of the secret sciences, traveling to different countries and performing all kinds of “miracles” before the people. Arriving in his hometown of Antioch, he amazed everyone with his abilities. At that time, the daughter of a pagan priest, Justinia, lived here. She was already enlightened by the Christian faith, the first idea of ​​which she received by chance, having heard words about Christ from the lips of a deacon who passed by her parents’ house while she was sitting at the window. The young pagan woman tried to learn more about Christ, the first news about Whom sank so deeply into her soul. Justinia fell in love with going to the Christian church, listening to the word of God, and finally accepted holy Baptism. Soon she convinced her parents of the truth of the Christian faith. The pagan priest, having received Baptism, was ordained to the rank of presbyter, and his house became a pious Christian dwelling.
Meanwhile, Justinia, who had remarkable beauty, attracted the attention of a rich pagan youth named Aglaid. He asked her to become his wife, but Justinia, having devoted herself to Christ, refused to marry a pagan and carefully avoided even meeting him. He, however, persistently pursued her. Seeing the failure of all his efforts, Aglaid turned to the famous sorcerer Cyprian, thinking that everything was accessible to his mysterious knowledge, and asked the sorcerer to act with his art on the heart of Justinia.
Cyprian, hoping to receive a rich reward, actually used all the means that he could glean from the science of sorcery, and, calling on demons for help, tried to persuade Justinia to marry the young man who fell in love with her. Protected by the power of her complete devotion to the one Christ, Justinia did not succumb to any tricks or temptations, remaining adamant.
Meanwhile, a pestilence appeared in the city. A rumor was spread that the powerful sorcerer Cyprian, who failed in his sorcery, was taking revenge on the whole city for opposing Justinia, bringing a fatal illness to everyone. The frightened people approached Justinia as the culprit of the public disaster and convinced her to satisfy the sorcerer - to marry Aglaid. Justinia calmed the people and, with firm hope in God’s help, promised speedy liberation from the destructive disease. And indeed, as soon as she prayed to God with her pure and strong prayer, the illness stopped.
This victory and the triumph of the Christian woman were at the same time a complete disgrace to Cyprian, who considered himself a powerful sorcerer and boasted of his knowledge of the secrets of nature. But this also served to save a person gifted with a strong mind, which, mainly through error, was wasted on unworthy use. Cyprian realized that there was something higher than his knowledge and mysterious art, than that dark force on whose help he was counting, trying to defeat the unenlightened crowd. He realized that all this was nothing compared to the knowledge of the God whom Justinia confesses.

	Schmch. Cyprian and martyr Justina.

	Holy Martyr Justina of Antioch.

Seeing that all his means were powerless against a weak creature - a young girl armed only with prayer and the sign of the cross, Cyprian comprehended the meaning of these two truly omnipotent weapons. He came to the Christian bishop Anthimus († 302; commemorated September 3/16), told him about his errors and asked him to teach him the truths of the Christian faith in order to prepare for the one true path revealed by the Son of God, and then accepted holy Baptism. A year later he was made a priest, and then a bishop, while Justinia was ordained a deaconesses and made head of the community of Christian virgins.
Inspired by a fiery love for God, Cyprian and Justinia contributed greatly to the spread and strengthening of Christian teaching. This brought upon them the wrath of the opponents and persecutors of Christianity. Having received a denunciation that Cyprian and Justinia were turning the people away from the gods, the governor of that region, Eutolmius, seized them and ordered them to be tortured for their faith in Christ, which they unshakably confessed. Then he sent them to the Roman emperor, who was at that time in Nicomedia, by whose order they were beheaded with the sword.
The Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justinia were already venerated by the ancient Church. Saint Gregory of Nazianzus († 389; commemorated on January 25 and 30) speaks about them in one of his sermons. Empress Eudokia, the wife of the Byzantine emperor Theodosius the Younger, wrote a poem in their honor around 425.
“Turning from magical art, O wise God, to the knowledge of the Divine,” the Church sings in the kontakion to the holy martyrs, “thou hast appeared to the world as the wisest physician, granting healing to those who honor thee, Cyprian and Justina, with whom we prayed to the Lover of Mankind to save our souls.”

Archimandrite Macarius (Veretennikov) “Domestic piety and protection from sorcery.” Protection from sorcery.

Kontakion

Turning from magical art, O God-Wise One, to the knowledge of the Divine, you appeared to the world as the wisest physician, granting healing to those who honor you, Cyprian and Justina: with this we pray to the Lover of Mankind, the Lady, to save our souls.

Prayer

O holy martyr Cyprian and martyr Justina! Hear our humble prayer. Even though you naturally died as a martyr for Christ during your temporary life, you do not depart from us in spirit, always teaching us to walk according to the commandments of the Lord and to patiently bear our cross with our help. Behold, boldness towards Christ God and His Most Pure Mother was acquired by nature. Even now, be prayer books and intercessors for us unworthy. Be our intercessors of the fortress, so that through your intercession we may remain unharmed from demons, magicians and evil men, glorifying the Holy Trinity: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Materials for preparing the article were taken from the sites: www.sobor.by and www.pravoslavie.by Illustrations: www.pravoslavieto.com; frankfurt.orthodoxy.ru; www.cirota.ru; prokipr.ru; orthodox.etel.ru; wiki.irkutsk.ru; church-site.kiev.ua; iloveukraine.com.ua.

Church of St. Cyprian in the village of Meniko in Cyprus	Icon and holy relics of Saints Cyprian and Justinia in Meniko in Cyprus
Temple in honor of Saint-Martyr Cyprian and Saint Justina in the village. Kamenka of the Ekaterinburg diocese

From the legend it is known that Cyprian studied philosophy and sorcery in pagan Greece and Egypt and surprised everyone with his knowledge of the secret sciences, traveling to different countries and performing all kinds of “miracles” before the people.

Finally, Cyprian arrived in his hometown of Antioch, where he also amazed everyone, acting with an unknown force. At that time, the daughter of a pagan priest, Justina, lived here. She was already enlightened by the Christian faith, the first idea of ​​which she received by chance, having heard words about Christ from the lips of a deacon of the local church, who passed by her parents’ house while she was sitting at the window. The young pagan woman tried to learn more about Christ, the first news about Whom sank so deeply into her soul. Justina fell in love with going to the Christian church, listening to the word of God, and finally accepted holy baptism. Soon she convinced both her mother and even her father of the truth of the Christian faith. The pagan priest, having received baptism, was ordained to the rank of presbyter, and his house became a pious Christian dwelling.

Meanwhile, Justina, who had remarkable beauty, attracted the attention of a rich pagan youth named Aglaid. He asked her to become his wife, but Justina, having devoted all her love to Christ, refused to marry a pagan and carefully avoided even meeting him. He, however, persistently pursued her. Seeing the failure of all his efforts, Aglaid turned to the famous sorcerer Cyprian, thinking that everything was accessible to his mysterious knowledge, and asked the sorcerer to act with his art on the heart of Justina.

Cyprian, hoping to receive a rich reward, actually used all the means that he could glean from the science of sorcery, and, calling on demons for help, tried to persuade Justina to marry the young man who fell in love with her. Protected by the power of her complete devotion to the one Christ, Justina did not succumb to any tricks or temptations, remaining adamant.

Meanwhile, a pestilence appeared in the city. A rumor was spread that the powerful sorcerer Cyprian, who failed in his sorcery, was taking revenge for Justina’s resistance to the whole city by inflicting a fatal illness. The frightened people approached Justina as the culprit of a public disaster, and convinced her to satisfy the sorcerer - to marry Aglaid. Justina calmed the people and, with firm hope in God’s help, promised speedy liberation from the destructive disease. And indeed, as soon as she prayed to God with her pure and strong prayer, the illness stopped.

This victory and triumph of the Christian woman was at the same time a complete disgrace to Cyprian, who considered himself a powerful sorcerer and boasted of his knowledge of the secrets of nature. But this also served to save a person gifted with a strong mind, which, mainly through error, was wasted on unworthy use. Cyprian realized that there was something higher than his knowledge and mysterious art, than that dark force on whose assistance he was counting, trying to defeat the unenlightened crowd. He realized that all this is nothing compared to the knowledge of the God whom Justina confesses.

Seeing that all his means were powerless against a weak creature - a young girl armed only with prayer and the sign of the cross, Cyprian comprehended the meaning of these two truly omnipotent weapons. He came to the Christian bishop Anthimus (302; commemorated September 3 (16), spoke about his errors and asked to teach him the truths of the Christian faith in order to prepare for the one true path revealed by the Son of God, and then accepted holy baptism. A year later he was made a priest, and then a bishop, while Justina was ordained a deaconesses and made head of the community of Christian virgins.

Inspired by a fiery love for God, Cyprian and Justina contributed greatly to the spread and strengthening of Christian teaching. This brought upon them the wrath of the opponents and persecutors of Christianity. Having received a denunciation that Cyprian and Justina were turning the people away from the gods, the regional governor Eutolmius seized them and ordered them to be tortured for their faith in Christ, which they unshakably confessed. Then he sent them to the emperor, who was at that time in Nicomedia, by whose orders they were beheaded with the sword around 304.

The Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina were already venerated by the ancient Church. Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (389; commemorated January 25 and 30 (February 7 and 12) speaks about them in one of his words. Empress Eudokia, wife of Theodosius the Younger, wrote a poem in their honor around 425.

“Turning from magical art, O wise God, to the knowledge of the Divine,” the Church sings in the kontakion to the holy martyrs, “you appeared to the world as the wisest physician, granting healing to those who honor you, Cyprian and Justina, with her we prayed to the Lover of Mankind to save our souls.”