The Life of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina. The life and suffering of the holy martyr Cyprian and the holy martyr Justina Who is Saint Cyprian

The first centuries of the emergence of Christian teaching are rich in stories of martyrdom and miraculous conversions to the true faith from paganism. The first often followed from the second, and those who gave their souls to God died with a joyful expression on their faces, because they realized the transition to the Kingdom of God.

The story of Cyprian and Justina demonstrates the power of orthodox Christianity in the fight against the insidiousness of lying demons that provoke a person to commit criminal acts.

Icon of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justinia

The story of the holy martyr Cyprian

The famous sorcerer named Cyprian was born in Antioch, into a pagan family that worshiped the god Apollo. At the age of seven, he became a student of sorcerers who taught him the knowledge of how to use the powers of demons to achieve certain goals.

  • When Cyprian turned 10, his parents sent him to Mount Olympus, where countless pagan idols lived. Here the boy learned demonic tricks: body transformations, control of the elements and the spread of disaster among the population.
  • In order to comprehend the art of communicating with demons, little Cyprian observed the strictest fast. At the age of 15, he listened to the teachings of the great priests and went to Argos, where he learned the science of seducing the infidels. When he was 20, he arrived in Memphis and learned great magic. At the age of 30, he was given the Chaldean science of stargazing, and he returned to his native Antioch as a mature master in demonic affairs. Cyprian boasted of his friendship with the king of darkness and was an evil murderer of civilians.
  • Maddened by power, this dark sorcerer committed numerous atrocities: he seduced people into lawlessness, killed people with poisons, sacrificed young men and women to demons, and infected many with vicious passions.
Important! The All-Merciful Lord, seeing the sinner plunge into impenetrable darkness, wanted to extract him from the hellish abyss and demonstrate His Omnipotence. He made it clear even to the devil that there is no sin capable of defeating the Father’s love for mankind.

Divine daughter of Justin

She, like Cyprian, came from a pagan family: her father Edesius was an idol priest, and her mother was called Cleodonia. One day Justina heard a sermon by Deacon Prailius about the coming of Christ, His creation of many miracles, suffering in the name of man and ascension to the Kingdom of Heaven at the right hand of the Lord. This good news planted a seed of sincere faith in the girl’s soul.

  • She began to secretly attend church and soon truly believed in Christ. The girl brought her elderly parents to their senses, who realized the inadequacy of hand-made idols. The whole family went to the Christian bishop and asked to be baptized.
  • Justinia valiantly kept the commandments and led a righteous life, which outraged the hater of the human race. The devil intended to cause the girl great pain and misfortune.
  • He kindled a fiery passion in the heart of the local youth Aglaid, with the help of which Justinia had to turn away from the righteous path. However, the pious virgin answered: “Christ is my Bridegroom, only to Him do I all belong.”
  • Having suffered several failures in seduction, Aglaid turned for help to the famous Cyprian, who agreed to blacken the heart of Justinia. The sorcerer gave the young man a potion and ordered him to sprinkle the girl’s house in order to open a passage for otherworldly forces.

Justinia in prayer asked for help and protection from evil spirits

Fighting lust

The well-behaved Justinia, preparing for bed, felt a strong excitement in her body. The flame enveloped her consciousness for a long time, that same young man arose in her memory, and with him thoughts of a carnal nature. The virgin was surprised and ashamed, feeling the spread of filth. She soon realized that this obsession was coming from dark forces, and turned to prayer and the sign of the cross for help.

  • Confounded by his fortitude and divine omnipotence, the demon fled from the house, and an all-conquering peace reigned in the soul and limbs of the girl. The demon, returning to Cyprian, told about his failure.
  • The sorcerer repeated his attempts, sending more powerful demons, but nothing could disrupt the power of sincere prayer and severe fasting, which the maiden indulged in all this time.
  • Soon a demon appeared before her in the form of an honest woman and tried to find out the advantages of a chaste life. The unclean spirit, having heard the answer, intended to use cunning speeches to disturb the virgin from her spiritual balance and referred to some passages from the Holy Scriptures. Justina recognized the “cunning serpent” and stopped the dialogue by resorting to the sign of the cross.
  • Cyprian hated the demons because they could not cope with the young maiden. He made several more attempts, even personally tried to break her spirit, but each new threat to chastity was broken against the impregnable walls of prayer before the Lord.
  • The sorcerer spread his anger to those around him, relatives and the city, sending ulcers and severe illnesses. When the citizens learned that troubles were coming due to Justina’s resistance, they began to angrily persuade the girl to give in to Cyprian’s wishes. However, the holy virgin reassured people and promised a speedy end to all this suffering.
  • Strong prayer helped the city get rid of misfortunes, and Cyprian was disgraced and humiliated. The people glorified God's Son.
Important! The cause of corruption is considered to be a sinful life, colossal pride and indulgence of one’s own passions. If a person lives righteously, no attack can capture a soul truly committed to the Lord.

Believers should not be afraid of damage or the evil eye, because the Power of God protects the one who sincerely accepted the teachings of the Savior, who came and was crucified for man. These adversities recede with constant practice of prayer and fasting.

About evil forces:

Icon of the Holy Martyr Justinia

Exposing the Seducer

The sorcerer soon realized the Omnipotence of the Father and the insignificance of dark energy. He turned personally to the prince of darkness and shamed his weakness in the face of the Light. Cyprian realized that it was necessary to abandon the devil and accept the true faith, which is capable of saving every soul. The Prince of Darkness furiously attacked the sorcerer, wanting to strangle him.

Cyprian's life was saved by the sign of the cross, which he remembered already on the verge of death. The demon left with threats and curses on his lips.

The sorcerer collected all his magic books and bowed to Bishop Anfim, sincerely asking for holy baptism. Cyprian burned witchcraft literature and bitterly regretted his atrocities, begging God for forgiveness. He showed unprecedented perseverance in his newfound faith, recognized Christ as his Savior from sin and demons, and was baptized in the glory of the Holy Trinity.

Justina learned about this great transformation from pagan to Christian and sang long prayers to the Heavenly Father, and also distributed alms to all those in need. After a year of service, the newly minted follower of Jesus became a local priest. Cyprian radically changed his activities: he improved in virtue and repented of sinful offenses. He soon earned the rank of bishop and humbly fulfilled his duties, caring for the people under his care.

Cyprian made Saint Justinia the abbess of the nunnery. He converted many pagans to Christianity, so soon idolatry was practically not cultivated in the country.

On a note! In the 13th century, the relics of Bishop Cyprian and the virgin Justinia, which protected against black magic and healed many diseases, were transported to Cyprus. The remains were placed in a small church located in a village called Meniko.

A large number of pilgrims visited this place and witnessed miraculous performances in the name of the Almighty Lord. In the church itself there were icons of the great martyrs, and next to the building there was a source of holy water.

Relics of Saints Cyprian and Justinia in Meniko (Cyprus)

Last years

The devil, observing the righteous activities of Cyprian, who was once under his power, felt anger and desired revenge. The Prince of Darkness provoked wicked people to slander Cyprin and Justinia. False slander convinced the ruler Eutholmius to take the saints into custody. The last ones were awaiting trial.

Cyprian told his story of conversion to Christianity, but these words did not enter the hearts of his tormentors. The bishop and the virgin were tortured for a long time, but they tirelessly repeated the name of the Lord, which gave them strength to endure the pain. Eutholmius ordered them to be thrown into a burning cauldron, but the fire did not dare to harm the servants of the Most High.

Death came to the saints from a heavy sword; their bodies lay unburied for six days. And only merciful people took care of them, secretly taking the remains to Rome.

Incredible miracles and healings took place at the tombs of these great martyrs.

Help of the Great Martyrs

By praying to the icon of these holy great martyrs, believers get rid of various damage and are healed of terrible ailments.

Orthodox believers turn to images of Saints Cyprian and Justinia in order to get rid of damage acquired as a result of witchcraft love spells. The image of saints also helps protect the family and home from dark energy. The icon is capable of restoring sanity to someone who has been bewitched by demonic lies for a long time.

About the saints:

For information! The celebration in honor of the saints is celebrated annually on October 15.

This holiday is also called the “Day of Cleansing from Obsessions.” There is a superstition among people that on October 15, a meeting with demonic creatures of the Universe is possible. Atheists, alcoholics, sinners and foul-mouthed people who like to mention the devil are especially at risk. Appropriate prayer helps against the invasion of evil spirits.

The story of Cyprian and Justina shows us that through moral steadfastness and service to God, a person can rise from the darkness of ignorance to the highest peak of spiritual perfection. No dark energy is capable of defeating someone who truly believes in the Holy Trinity and engages in righteous activities.

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

Lives of the Hieromartyr Cyprian, Bishop, Martyr Justina and Martyr Theoctistus

In the 3rd century, during the kingdom of Rome named after De-Kia, a pagan sage, a sign, lived in Antiochia. n-ty sorcerer-vo-va-tel Ki-pri-an. He pacified the prince of darkness by sacrificing himself, gave him all of himself into power, and he gave him a regiment of demons as his service and promised to establish a prince based on his descent from the body. Many people turned to him in their needs, and he helped them with demonic power. One day a young man named Agla-id, the son of gods and noble families, approached him. One day he saw Justina’s girl and was struck by her beauty, and from then on he began to look for her beauty and love, she told him: “My bridegroom is Christ; I serve Him and for His sake I preserve my purity.”

Having lived by secretly knowing me and calling on unclean spirits for help, Ki-pri-an sent them out three times -blaz-thread Justi-well. They instilled bad thoughts in her, created carnal passion in her, sought to flatter you and lure you cha-mi, but Justi-na beat them with a prayer, a prayer and the sign of the cross, and, disgracefully, they were frightened -crossed with the Lord under him, they ran with their eyes on them. Voz-ne-go-do-val then Ki-pri-an and began to take revenge on Justina for his disgrace. He sent pestilence and plagues to the house of Justina and to the whole city, just as the devil once did to the righteous Job. She prayed diligently, and the demonic expectation stopped. After such a change, people began to glorify Christ, and Ki-pri-an, having regained his sight, renounced the affairs of the dia- la, he gave everything to the local bishop An-fi-mu, gave him all his books to burn and begged him to do it above him is Holy Baptism.

He completely changed his life, seven days after his baptism he became a reader, twenty days later he became an ipo-di-a-ko-na , after thirty - to dia-ko-na, and a year later to ru-ko-po-lo-li-li to the priest. He was soon made a bishop and in this rank he led such a holy life that he became equal to many great men. we are holy.

During the persecution of Christians under im-pe-ra-to-re Dio-kli-ti-an Ki-pri-a-na and Justi-nu okle-ve-ta-li , in the same way, that's why they ordered to hang the saint and whittle his body, and beat Justi-nu on the mouth and eye-deputy After this, they were thrown into the boiler, but the boiling boiler did not cause them any harm. In the end they were condemned to be beheaded with a sword.

Seeing the innocent death of the mu-che-ni-kov, the warrior Feo-k-tist declared himself a Christian and was executed along with him -mi.

The holy martyr Ki-pri-an, the holy martyr Justina and the holy martyr Feo-k-tist were killed in Ni-ko-mi-dii in 304.

Prayers

Troparion to the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina

And a partaker in character,/ and a vicar of the throne, an apostle,/ you gained action, inspired by God,/ in a vision the sunrise:/ for this sake, 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/ / save our souls.

Translation: And you became a participant in the morals of the Apostles, and became an heir to their throne, through your deeds you achieved ascension; therefore, proclaiming the right word of truth, you suffered to the point of bleeding for the faith, Hieromartyr Cyprian, intercede before Christ our God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina

Turning from magical art, O God-Wise One,/ to the knowledge of the Divine,/ you appeared to the world as the wisest physician,/ granting healings to those who honor you, the Cyprians and Justina:/ praying to the lover of mankind Vlada. tse // save our souls.

Translation: The God-wise One turned from the craft of magic to the knowledge of the Divine, appeared to the world as the wisest physician, granting healing to those who worship you, Cyprian and Justina, with her pray to the Lord who loves mankind for the salvation of our souls.

Prayer to the Hieromartyr Cyprian

Holy servant of God, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer for all those who come running to you! Accept this praise from us, the unworthy; ask the Lord God for strength in weaknesses, consolation in sorrows, and everything useful to everyone in our life; Offer your merciful prayer to the Lord, may he protect us from the falls of sin, may he teach us true repentance, may he deliver us from the captivity of the devil and all the activities of unclean spirits and tame those who offend us. Be a strong champion for us against all enemies, visible and invisible; give us patience in temptation and at the hour of our death show us intercession from the torturers at the aerial ordeals; May we, led by you, reach Mount Jerusalem and be honored in the Kingdom of Heaven with all the saints to glorify and sing the holy name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer to the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina

Oh, holy martyr Cyprian and martyr Justin! Hear our humble prayer. Even though you naturally died your temporary life as a martyr for Christ, you do not depart from us in spirit, always following the commandments of the Lord to teach us and to patiently bear your cross to help us. Behold, boldness towards Christ God and His Most Pure Mothers has been acquired by nature. Even now you will 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 forever and ever. Amen.

Canons and Akathists

Song 1

Irmos: The sea of ​​the dark abyss / with damp feet / the ancient Israel who walked, / with the cross-shaped hand of Moses / defeated the power of Amalek in the desert.

Now established with the Premier rites, O sacred and Divine head, / look down from Heaven upon you who sing piously / and preserve with your prayers.
In the darkness of ignorance, reverend, you are fiercely possessed / and you are kindled by the soul-destroying passions of the flesh through intemperance, / you suddenly found glorious transformation, all-blessed.
Glory: Thou didst first sit in the seats of the destroyers, Father, / and thou didst glorify Christ again in the seats of the elders, / having been changed by the Lord’s revealed Divine grace.
And now: You remained a Virgin after the Nativity: / Having given birth to the Creator of all and the Lord, / appearing unusually and strangely to us as a body, / to the Mother of God, the Ever-Virgin Mother.

Song 3

Irmos: Your Church rejoices in You, Christ, calling: / You are my strength, Lord, / and refuge and confirmation.
Chorus: Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justino, pray to God for us.
Like Paul, / having transferred your spiritual love to Christ, Cyprian was all-wise, / of whom you were a disciple.
Christ betroths you, / instead of passionate vestments, giving you the robe of glory / and the robe of rebirth.
Glory: The fasting fast-monger was formerly patient, / later, the all-valid Cyprian, / you were a witness of the Truth.
And now: Lordly and truly, we honor You, the Mother of God, / for You gave birth to God, / You were flesh, All-immaculate.
Lord, have mercy, three times.

Sedalen, tone 8. Similar to: Wisdom:

Diligently punished for delusion, / like Paul, he was called from Heaven, / We instruct the cross to the light of knowledge, / for we kindle honest virgins with love, / for the sake of which you were united to the Creator of men. / Thus, having exposed the weakness of the enemy, / with it you were honored with the face of the martyrs, / Cyprians, fertilizer for the bishops, / pray to Christ the God of sins to forgive taxes / to those who honor your holy memory with love.
Glory, even now, to the Mother of God: In a multi-braided misfortune I fall / from enemies visible and invisible, / overwhelmed by a storm of my countless sins, / and, as to my warm intercession and protection, O Pure One, / I flow to the refuge of Your goodness. / Moreover, O Most Pure One, from Thee Incarnate without a seed / pray diligently for all Thy servants, / who continually pray to Thee, the Most Pure Mother of God, / beseeching Him to grant forgiveness of sins forever / to those who worthily sing Thy glory.

Song 4

Irmos: You are exalted, having seen the Church on the Cross, / the righteous Sun, / standing in your rank, / worthily crying out: / glory to your power, Lord.
Chorus: Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justino, pray to God for us.
Having awakened, O God-voice, from the first fury, / you denounced all the demonic flattery and soul-spirited charm and, rejoicing, you cried out: / glory to your power, Lord.
Justina is valiantly strengthened / and the Pure Virgin and the Joyful One, earnestly praying, / to escape the snares and snares of the enemy.
Glory: Strengthened by the faith of your Bridegroom / and clothed with the power of the Cross, / the demons are hidden, crying out: / glory to your power, Lord.
And now: Who by nature is free, / in the image of a slave impoverished by the riches of goodness, Mother of the Ever-Virgin, / from You, according to Hypostasis, all humanity receives.

Song 5

Irmos: You, Lord, are my light, / you came into the world. / Holy Light, turn from darkness of ignorance / those who sing of Thee to faith.
Chorus: Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justino, pray to God for us.
The champion of the Pure Mother of God, having become rich, Justino, / preserved her honest virginity without harm.
The animated Christ and the most beautiful image, / let us honor Justina, / intimate kindness and unstealthy devotion.
Glory: The Bride of Christ, ever present and undefiled, / having received suffering and fasting, / righteously wears the crown.
And now: The angelic and human mind cannot express / the ineffable and glorious miracle of Your Nativity, / All-Pure One.

Song 6

Irmos: I will devour Thee with a voice of praise, O Lord, / The Church cries out to Thee, / having been cleansed from demonic blood, / for the sake of mercy from Thy side / by the flowing Blood.
Chorus: Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justino, pray to God for us.
You have reached the depths of the wickedness of the underworld, / but to the extreme of virtue, Father, / you have ascended to the heights, / having been gloriously transformed by Divine Baptism.
You were a servant of demons first, / but you appeared to be Christ’s Epiphany disciple, / having loved the last desire with love.
Glory: You have brought many martyrs to the Master, / demonstrating the greatest purchase, / purchasing the Kingdom of Heaven, God-wise, with the least blood.
And now: Break my captivity of sins, Bride of God, the sinful law, / Granting freedom to life by the law, / Who gave birth to the Lord of the law.
Lord, have mercy, three times. Glory, and now:

Kontakion, tone 1. Similar to: The Face of an Angel:

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 you prayed to the Lover of Mankind / to save our souls.
Ikos: You have sent down your healings, holy gifts, to me, / and heal my ailing heart with sinful pus / with your prayers, / for now I will bring you the word of singing from my unclean lips / and I will sing to your illness, which you have shown, O holy martyr, / with good repentance and the blessed and those approaching God. / He was held by his hand, / you headed, like a ladder, to the Heavenly Ones, / constantly praying to save our souls.

Song 7

Irmos: Thy youths who saved in the fires of Abraham / and, having killed the Chaldeans, / who grasped the truth righteously, / the revered Lord, / God of our father, blessed art thou.
Chorus: Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justino, pray to God for us.
You entered the hierarchical leadership, / you showed the most sacred image as your hierarch and the rule, crying out: / blessed are you, O Lord, God of our fathers.
Your life-giving right hands are truly a change, Father, who has found, / made you wise, the Speaker of God, singing: / revered Lord, God of our father, blessed art thou.
Glory: An invincible weapon against us, blessed, art thou who have appeared, / denouncing him with flattery, singing: / revered Lord, God of our father, blessed art thou.
And now: The heavenly faces and the heavenly cathedrals / sing hymns from you, the Mother of God, born, calling: / revered Lord, God of our father, blessed art thou.

Song 8

Irmos: Rejoice, O Jerusalem, rejoice, O ye who love Zion: / For the Lord of hosts has come to reign forever. / Let the whole earth stand in awe at His Face / and let it cry: / Bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
Chorus: Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justino, pray to God for us.
You neglected the wisdom of the Hellenic wisdom, O glorious one, / but the Divine broadcast of the apostles, rattled by the Spirit, father, / and clearly spoken with tongues of fire, you cried out: / bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
You have risen up into the high and worldly light of the village, / offering to Christ the blood, as an immaculate sacrifice, father, / a living slaughter, pleasant and pleasing, singing: / bless, all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
Glory: We are overcome by the indwelling grace in you, / the demonstrators are driven away and the passions of the ailing are driven away, God-wise, / we are satisfied with the return of the Divine light, crying out: / bless, all the works of the Lord, the Lord.
And now: They rejoice with the Angelic powers, O Most Pure One, at Thy Nativity, O Mother of God, / and those who call Thee the Mother of God by faith: / For Thou hast given birth to us as a Master and Savior, to Him we sing: / Bless all the works of the Lord, the Lord.

Song 9

Irmos: Eve, through the disease of disobedience, / instilled an oath, / But You, Virgin Mother of God, / Through the vegetation of womb-bearing, You have blossomed with the blessing of the world, / Thus we all magnify You.
Chorus: Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justino, pray to God for us.
Above us, who piously sing thee, thou art admiring thee with Divine grace, / by thy prayers, O God-speaker, and crowning with the weapon of benevolence, / grant us peace and salvation, / as the most divine clergyman.
The flow of healing abundantly rewards your dust to those who love you; / for you, Cyprians, God-bearing wives, as they accept the Divine treasure / and diligently reveal the hidden, / so that we may all enjoy you.
Glory: Direct our progress towards Christ, O rich one, through deeds, / and God-pleasing life, and the purest purification / imploring God’s quietness, as a most compassionate hierarch.
And now: Strengthen our spiritual weakness, O Mother of God, by Thy power, / resolve the burden, O Most Holy One, imposed on Thy servant, / the Sun that has risen unspeakably to the world of righteousness.

Luminous. Similar to: Wives, hear:

Among the Magi, there is no judgment and one is greater, / who has lost his temper and burned the books instructing in delusion, / and the testimony of the crown of strangely received, / Let us praise Cyprian, the mirror of the sufferers.
Glory, and now: Of old, the deity deceived me with hope, deceiving me, / with a dense offer he is wisely seduced by the Virgin Who Rised; / and the dense condemnation of the flesh was resolved, / slain to death.

Kontakion 1

Chosen from the service of the devil to serve the true God and numbered among the saints, Hieromartyr Cyprian, pray to Christ God to deliver us from the snares of the evil one and defeat the world, the flesh and the devil, let us cry to you:

Ikos 1

The angelic powers were amazed at how you turned from magical art, God-Wise Cyprian, to the knowledge of the Divine, and through repentance you gained an angelic, passionless life. We, marveling at your conversion, cry out to you like this:

Rejoice, having astonished the Angels with your conversion;

Rejoice, joyful face of the saints.

Rejoice, you who have shown your wisdom;

Rejoice, you have received a crown for Christ.

Rejoice, for through you demons are driven away;

Rejoice, for through you all illnesses are healed.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 2

Seeing the Lord how from a young age Cyprian was given over by wicked parents to be trained in demonic service, he desired to turn him to Himself, and with the Angels and all the saints he sang: Alleluia!

Ikos 2

Having an imperfect mind for higher understanding, you worked diligently, Saint Cyprian, studying demonic false tricks, but, having learned the weakness of demons, that they fear Christ, you turned to the knowledge of the true God. Therefore we magnify you:

Rejoice, conqueror of the demonic wiles;

Rejoice, you who expose the charm of his ministry.

Rejoice, you who put to shame the evil serpent;

Rejoice, glorifying Christians.

Rejoice, wisest of the wise of this world;

Rejoice, most intelligent one.

Rejoice, Holy Martyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer for our souls!

Kontakion 3

The power of the Most High enlighten your mind, blessed Cyprian, when, having failed in sorcery against Justina, the devil tells you: we fear and tremble at the power of the Cross, with which the virgin Justina drives us away. You answered: you are afraid of the Cross, but the Crucified One is stronger than the Cross. For this reason you came to the temple of the Lord to sing with all the faithful: Alleluia!

Ikos 3

Having his mind enlightened by the power from above, Cyprian came to the bishop to ask for baptism, but he, fearing the deceit of the sorcerer, drove him away. Cyprian flowed into the Temple of the Lord, and there, during the liturgy, the deacon cried out: the catechumen, come forth, saying: I will not leave the Temple, until I receive baptism. We, rejoicing at your admonition, sing to you like this:

Rejoice, enlightened by the power from above;

Rejoice, admonished by the Lord.

Rejoice, having learned the power of the Cross;

Rejoice, having driven away demons from yourself.

Rejoice, you who have corrected your life;

Rejoice, directing your steps to the Church.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 4

A storm of thoughts overwhelmed Cyprian about how to accept baptism. Moreover, first of all, take your magic books, bring them to the middle of the city and burn them there, singing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 4

Having heard the bishop, as if, in all wisdom, he had the good intention of being a Christian, he baptized you and installed a reader in the temple. For this reason we cry out to you:

Rejoice, conqueror of the spirits of evil;

Rejoice, burning books of sorcery

Rejoice, thou who desirest to be a Christian;

Rejoice, having received Holy Baptism.

Rejoice, you who cried out to God with repentance day and night;

Rejoice, thou who was appointed a bishop and a reader in the temple.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 5

Having received the richly woven robe of Holy Baptism, the all-valid Cyprian warmly prayed to God for the forgiveness of sins previously committed, chanting to God from all Christians: Alleluia!

Ikos 5

Having seen the bishop of your exploits and labors, Hieromartyr Cyprian, fasting, long-night vigil, kneeling, repentance, tears, prayers, and after testing, made you a deacon. We, thanking God, praise you:

Rejoice, adorned with deeds and virtues;

Rejoice, you who pray for the forgiveness of sins.

Rejoice, you have shown an example of correction;

Rejoice, you who bring tearful prayers to the Lord.

Rejoice, having learned the path to salvation;

Rejoice, you who have shown fiery love for Christ.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 6

Imitating the image of Christian piety to the Virgin Justina, the Hieromartyr Cyprian, you truly appeared as a perfect Christian, you rejected the wicked teaching, having been baptized, and with your lips and a pure heart you sang gratefully to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 6

The light of Divine perfection shone in your heart, O God-Wise Cyprian, and you attained the rank of priest, and then bishop. We pray to you, enlighten our hearts with your prayers, warmly praying to you:

Rejoice, ordained to the rank of bishop;

Rejoice, thou exalted to the height of an eagle.

Rejoice, city, stand above for years;

Rejoice, lamp, burn before God.

Rejoice, tireless prayer book to Christ;

Rejoice, teacher bestowed by God.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 7

Although the Lord will save everyone, he has given us this prayer book, intercessor and healer from the spirits of evil in heaven. By your skill and words, O God-voice, you led many to repentance and correction of sinful lives, teaching everyone to sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 7

You have appeared to the world, the wisest new doctor, Hieromartyr Cyprian, as if your prayer cannot be resisted by sorcerer’s machinations, they are destroyed and the suggestions of evil people and crafty demons are driven away. We, seeing the power of God given to you, cry out to you like this:

Rejoice, destroyer of magical wiles;

Rejoice, driver of terrible demons.

Rejoice, for from worthlessness the spirits of malice disappear like smoke;

Rejoice, you will soon help those who suffer heavily.

Rejoice, deliver us from troubles and sorrows;

Rejoice, turn suffering into joy.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 8

A strange miracle comes to you with faith, Hieromartyr Cyprian, for by the grace given to you from God, demons who torment a person are driven out, and sick people are healed, crying out to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 8

Having risen with all your heart to God, the most glorious, and loving Him with all your soul, you had diligence and desire to do His will and, like a good shepherd, you did not reject those burdened with troubles, but interceded in prayers before God, giving us healing and consolation. For gray sake, praising your love for the Lord, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, loving Christ with all your heart;

Rejoice, thou who has acquired all virtues.

Rejoice, help for the sick and weakened;

Rejoice, consolation in sorrows and sorrows.

Rejoice, you who drive away slander and temptations from the world, the flesh and the devil;

Rejoice, healer of all mental and physical illnesses.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 9

The entire angelic army rejoiced, father, seeing you, a warrior of the Heavenly King, unshakable and boldly preaching Christ, when you were led to be beheaded by the sword together with Justina. But you, being sick about her, let him not renounce Christ; having seen you beheaded, say to her: let him be beheaded before you. And, bowing his head to the sword, he hurried to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 9

Because of the wealth of your sufferings for Christ, you will not be able to sing for Christ, because you did not naturally fear the cruel rebuke, but with bright faces appeared to the royal court of nature, exalting all the faithful to say to you:

Rejoice, confessor of the unshakable faith of Christ;

Rejoice, bold preacher of the Most Holy Trinity.

Rejoice, having laid down your souls for Christ;

Rejoice, you who have imputed the cruel torment to nothing.

Rejoice, for your sufferings are glorified by the faithful;

Rejoice, for your names are magnified in the temples of God.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 10

Although you may save the souls of all those possessed by unclean spirits, do not cease to cry out to the Lord, Cyprian the God-speaker, for you have been given the grace to pray for us, and for mercy and cleansing, let us sing to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 10

Be a solid wall and a strong fence for us, Hieromartyr Cyprian, who come running to you with warm faith and love, protecting us from enemies visible and invisible, deliverance by you, let us glorify you like this:

Rejoice, having conquered the spirit of malice with humility;

Rejoice, you who burned the arrows of the enemy with the fire of prayer.

Rejoice, wall and fence from enemies visible and invisible;

Rejoice, glorious adornment of the Orthodox Church.

Rejoice, wonderful help to those left behind by doctors;

Rejoice, beloved consolation and amusement for those who mourn.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 11

You brought unceasing singing to the Most Holy Trinity more than others, O Hieromartyr Cyprian, who, for the sake of mercy, was kind to fallen sinners, unworthy and worthy to be numbered among the holy flock. We, thanking God for His mercy towards us sinners, call to Him: Alleluia!

Ikos 11

You were a luminous light, O God-Wise One, in the Church of Christ, illuminating the souls of the faithful with immaterial light. We pray to you, enlighten our sin-darkened hearts, as we sing to you like this:

Rejoice, illuminated by the Tri-radiant Light;

Rejoice, numbered among the host of saints.

Rejoice, for you enlighten the souls of the faithful with immaterial light;

Rejoice, for you guide those who are lost to the right path.

Rejoice, thou who, like a sheep, was taken from the pit of destruction by the Savior;

Rejoice, shame for demons and joy for man.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for souls!

Kontakion 12

Grace was given to you from God to trample on the power of the enemy and every satanic presence, you defeated your enemies and sealed your faith in Christ with the feat of martyrdom. Now, standing before the Throne of the King of Glory, pray, O all-blessed Cyprian, that we may get rid of the captivity of the devil and exclaim to God: Alleluia!

Ikos 12

Singing your faithfulness to God and your wondrous, glorious miracles, we magnify and praise you, Hieromartyr Cyprian, for you have received such grace from God. We also pray to you: when at the hour of our death the demonic horde overtakes our souls, show us your intercession, and through your deliverance, we will cry out to you:

Rejoice, quick protection from the enemy forces that find you;

Rejoice, deliverance from all kinds of sorrows and sorrows.

Rejoice, loving Christ to the end;

Rejoice, having laid down your life for Him.

Rejoice, you were washed in the blood of Lambs;

Rejoice, thou who dwellest in the courts of the Lord.

Rejoice, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper and prayer book for our souls!

Kontakion 13

O most wonderful and glorious servant of God, Hieromartyr Cyprian, quick helper to all who come running to you, accept from us, the unworthy, our singing of praise. To her, we pray to you, the saint, heal us from various ailments, protect us from visible and invisible enemies and eternal torment, pray to the Lord, and with you we sing: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Kontakion 13 is spoken three times.And again the 1st Ikos and 1st Kontakion are honored.

Kontakion 1

Chosen miracle workers and speedy intercessors, Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justino, for those who have great boldness towards the Lord and stand before His Throne, by your intercession free us from all troubles and make us heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven who bring you songs of praise:

Ikos 1

The angelic powers were amazed at how you, Cyprian and Justino, having turned away from the soulless gods and believed in the Living God, through the knowledge of the Divine truth, acquired a naturally angelic, passionless life. We, marveling at this, cry out to you like this:

Rejoice, you surprised the angels with the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Rejoice, having made the saints glad by entering into the marriage of the Lamb.

Rejoice, for you have naturally suffered courageously for Christ.

Rejoice, because for His confession the crowns of incorruption came to nature.

Rejoice, you who stand in heaven now before the Throne of God.

Rejoice, you who pray to the Lord for the salvation of our souls.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 2

Seeing the vanity of idolatrous wickedness, you turned away from the knowledge of the Divine from magical art, Cyprian, snatching away your soul from eternal destruction. Now, standing before the Throne of God in heavenly glory, pray to the Master of Mankind to save our souls who sing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

Instructed from above by the mind of true knowledge of God, you turned away from sorcery and sorcery, Cyprian, and you quenched your passions with tearful repentance; Having realized that in the name of Christ and the Life-giving Cross the demons tremble and the machinations of the enemy are destroyed, you flocked to the temple of God to serve Him. Moreover, your zeal is praised, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, thou who courageously rejected the cunning of the demons.

Rejoice, their destructive machinations are like a spider torn to pieces.

Rejoice, fearlessly revealing the delights of his ministry.

Rejoice, you put the evil serpent to shame before everyone.

Rejoice, for through you demons are driven away.

Rejoice, for through you illnesses of body and soul are healed.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 3

Strengthened by the power of the Most High, you have received the seeds of saving faith in your heart, Justino: for you, listening to the preaching of Deacon Prailius about the Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Most Pure Virgin Mary, suffered, and was buried, and destroyed death by death, by listening, you increased the good fruit in your soul , uprooting the thorns of unbelief, and crying out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

Having a mind enlightened by God, Saint Justina understood that only in the Church of Christ had she found the salvation of her soul, and in it, listening to the word of God, she was confirmed by the Holy Spirit in her faith in Christ. Rejoicing in such God's favor for you, we sing to you:

Rejoice, star, who shone forth in the darkness of pagan wickedness.

Rejoice, enlightened by the light of pious faith.

Rejoice, having filled your soul with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Rejoice, you have betrothed your virginity to the Heavenly Bridegroom.

Rejoice, beautiful bride of the Sweetest Jesus.

Rejoice, you who have been called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 4

Avoiding the storms of sin, you came to Christ and offered everything to yourself, like a fragrant sacrifice, to our Savior, God-wise Cyprian, for you received a firm intention in your heart: to whiten your soul with holy baptism, to be a faithful follower of the Lord and to chant all the days of your life. To him: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing your renunciation of serving the enemy of the human race and seeing your good intention in Christ, you were clothed and become a perfect Christian, Bishop Anthimus Abiye baptized you, Cyprian, and made you a reader in the temple of God. We, rejoicing at your conversion to Christ, sing this:

Rejoice, for you loved the Lord with all your soul.

Rejoice, for you have desired to be a true Christian.

Rejoice, having received holy Baptism with reverence.

Rejoice, you who have made the Holy Spirit your dwelling place.

Rejoice, enlightened by the Lord from above.

Rejoice, instructed by the bishop in the faith of Christ.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 5

You have set off along the God-rich path and have reached a quiet refuge, holy martyr Justina: for you have enlightened your Divine parents Edesia and Cleodonia with the light of truth, together with them you have received holy Baptism from Bishop Ontat, so that you may be pleasing to Christ and be able to sing to Him without restraint: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing the great virtue of your father Edesius, the saint of God appointed him a presbyter, so that by his virtuous life he would lead others to Christ; To you, most blessed Justino, his worthy daughter, who loved Christ above all else and labored well in keeping His commandments, we honor you with these titles:

Rejoice, you who shone with spiritual beauty.

Rejoice, you who brought immaculate virginity as a gift to God.

Rejoice, God-wise evangelist of the Gospel.

Rejoice, zealous preacher of the Lord's commandments.

Rejoice, ascetic of God, raised by fasting and prayer.

Rejoice, immaculate dove, full of meekness and gentleness.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 6

Thou hast appeared as a preacher of the truth of Christ, O Hieromartyr Cyprian, also the Lover of Mankind, Who, though we all desire to be saved, has given to us a wondrous prayer book, a healer and a protector from the spirits of evil in heaven: by your deeds and words you lead many to repentance and correction of sinful lives, teaching everyone to sing God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You have shone forth like a luminous luminary, illuminating with the light of the knowledge of God all who exist in the darkness of unbelief, Saint Cyprian, even beyond your prayer, those who come from wicked demons and evil people cannot resist: they are both destroyed and driven away by the power of God. For this reason we cry out:

Rejoice, destroyer of the enemy's machinations.

Rejoice, driver of evil demons.

Rejoice, from enemies visible and invisible there is a wall and fence.

Rejoice, the wonderful help left by the doctors.

Rejoice, you will soon deliver from troubles and sorrows.

Rejoice, transforming suffering into joy.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 7

Wanting to envy the wise evangelical virgins, you were filled with the oil of good deeds, the glorious martyr Justin, and, having lit the lamp of your soul, you enlightened people with the teaching of Christ, so that having come to know the Lord Jesus, they sang to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

The Almighty Lord has shown His mercy to you again: With His divine grace He has lifted you up, O glorious Justino, to the heights of spiritual perfection, as you can heal those who are weak from mental and physical ailments, and can free those who suffer from unclean spirits from the snares of their evil ones. For this reason we cry out to you:

Rejoice, thou who art on high, more than those below, who lovedst.

Rejoice, you who have given yourself over to God.

Rejoice, burning with seraphic love for Him.

Rejoice, teaching us to love Him with all our souls.

Rejoice, confirmation of Orthodox people in the faith.

Rejoice, ornament of the virgin host.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 8

It would be strange for the wicked hegemon to see you, Hieromartyr Cyprian, ever handing you over to an unjust judgment: for you, as an unshakable warrior of the Heavenly King, with the boldness of Christ you confessed, chanting in your suffering: Alleluia.

Ikos 8

You gave everything to God, Hieromartyr Cyprian: for you were not afraid of the cruel rebuke and the suffering itself, but with a bright face, shining with the grace of God, you appeared before the wicked court, challenging all the faithful to sing to you:

Rejoice, unshakable confessor of the faith of Christ.

Rejoice, bold preacher of the Most Pure Trinity.

Rejoice, conquering the spirits of evil by the power of God.

Rejoice, you who burned the arrows of the enemy with the fire of prayer.

Rejoice, for you have imputed the cruel torment to nothing.

Rejoice, for in your suffering you glorified God.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 9

Do not reject every good request of ours that comes to you with faith, holy martyr Justina, for by the grace given to you from God to cast out unclean spirits that torment a person, demons are driven away and health is given to the sick who cry out to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The branches of multi-proclamation according to their heritage will not be able to sing all your labors, Saint Justino, because you loved God with all your heart and with all your soul, you directed all your diligence and desire to fulfill His holy will. Even now, you do not abandon us, burdened with troubles and sorrows, but intercede for us before the Lord, granting us healing and consolation. For this reason, praising you, we cry out to you:

Rejoice, you who soon fulfill our good requests.

Rejoice, you who graciously visit those who suffer in their illnesses.

Rejoice, there is warm refuge in our prayers.

Rejoice, good consolation to the offended.

Rejoice, good teacher of those faithful to salvation.

Rejoice, helper in these struggles.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 10

The Lover of Mankind, the Lord, who arranges the salvation of all, at the end of your confessional feat, crowned you, Saint Cyprian, with the crown of martyrdom: confessing before the tormentors the True God, worshiped in the Trinity of Saints, you fearlessly bowed your head under the sword, chanting: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

You are a wall and a shield, God-Ward Cyprian, to all who diligently come running to you and warmly pray before your icon: for you have been given to us by the All-Good Lord to help and heal mental and physical illnesses. For this reason we appeal to you:

Rejoice, for you offer your prayers to the Lord for us.

Rejoice, for you are interceding for us before the Throne of God.

Rejoice, for you enlighten the righteous with the light of the knowledge of God.

Rejoice, for you guide those who are lost on the path of salvation.

Rejoice, quickly give healing gifts to those who ask you.

Rejoice, reward those who love and honor you with deep love.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 11

Thou didst lift up all-congratulatory singing to the Lord, O passion-bearer Saint Justino, when thou bravely endured grievous torments for Him; Having ended your confessional course, you joyfully bowed your head to be beheaded by the sword, singing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

Shining with a luminous light on the church candlestick, Saint Justino, driving away from us enemies visible and invisible, with the light of grace. We, who come running to you with warm faith and love, praise your martyrdom, crying out to you:

Rejoice, you who boldly preached the True God.

Rejoice, in the Lord who strengthens you in all things possible.

Rejoice, for you bore the marks of the Lord Jesus on your body.

Rejoice, for through your patience you overcame your tormentors.

Rejoice, you who crowned your martyrdom with a sword-like death.

Rejoice, you who glorified your Lord through your suffering and miracles.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 12

Grace was given to you from God, Saints Cyprian and Justino, to trample upon the forces of the enemy and every demonic presence: for having endured great suffering, through your martyrdom you achieved eternal bliss in nature; Now, standing before the Throne of the King of Glory, pray for us, that we may be delivered from the captivity of the devil, so that we may be able to sing to God without stumbling: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing your zeal for God and your wondrous and glorious miracles, we magnify and praise you, Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justin, who have received such grace from God; We pray to you: when our souls are surrounded by demonic hordes at the hour of death, then show us your intercession, so that we will always be delivered by you, we cry to you:

Rejoice, quick protection from the enemy’s snares.

Rejoice, deliverance from sorrows and sorrows.

Rejoice, having loved Christ to the end.

Rejoice, you who laid down your souls for Him.

Rejoice, you have been washed in the Blood of Lambs.

Rejoice, you who dwell in the courts of the Lord.

Rejoice, to the host of saints in company.

Rejoice, the Triscendent Light of illumination.

Rejoice, Cyprian and Justino, quick helper and prayer book for our souls.

Kontakion 13

Oh, the admiration and glorification of the saints of God, Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justina, quick helper to all who come running to you with faith, accept from us, the unworthy, this song of praise, and heal us all from mental and physical ailments, protect us from visible and invisible enemies and Pray the Lord to deliver us from eternal torment, and let us cry together with you: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayer

Oh, holy martyr Cyprian and martyr Justino, heed 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, ever following the commandment of the Lord, walk us teaching and patiently bear your cross with us. Moreover, as you have gained boldness towards Christ God and His Most Pure Mother, be prayer books of strength and intercessors for us unworthy, 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 ever. Amen.

Hieromartyr Cyprian, holy martyr Justina and holy martyr Theoktistos killed in Nicomedia in 304.

Saint Cyprian was a pagan, originally from Antioch. Even in early childhood, he was given by wicked parents to serve the pagan gods. From the age of seven to thirty, 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.

In the same city lived a Christian girl named Justina. Having turned to Christ from pagan delusion and brought her father and mother to the true faith, she dedicated herself to the Heavenly Bridegroom and spent time in fasting and prayer, maintaining her virginity. When the young man Aglaid invited Justina to become his wife, the holy martyr refused. Aglaid turned to Cyprian and asked him to use sorcery to persuade Justina to marry. But no matter how hard Cyprian tried, he could not do anything, because the holy martyr, through prayer and fasting, crushed all the machinations of the devil. With spells, Cyprian sent demons to the holy virgin, inciting carnal passion in her, but she drove them out with the power of the Sign of the Cross and fervent prayer to the Lord. Even one of the demonic princes and Cyprian himself, who by the power of magic took on various guises, could not tempt Saint Justina, protected by her firm faith in Christ. All the spells disappeared, and demons scattered at the mere sight and even the name of the holy virgin. The angry Cyprian sent pestilence and plagues to Justina’s family and the entire city, but even here he was defeated by her prayer. To his soul, corrupted by his power over people and the elements, the full depth of its fall and the insignificance of those he served was revealed. “If you fear even the shadow of the Cross and tremble at the Name of Christ,” Cyprian said to Satan, “then what will you do when Christ himself comes upon you?” The devil immediately attacked the priest who had rejected him and began to beat and strangle him. Saint Cyprian for the first time experienced the power of the Sign of the Cross and the Name of Christ, protecting himself with them from the attack of the enemy. With deep repentance, he came to the local bishop Anfim and gave all his books to be burned.

And the next day, having come to church, I did not want to leave it until I received Holy Baptism.

By the feat of his subsequent righteous life, Saint Cyprian affirmed the great power of ardent faith in Christ, which redeemed all his more than thirty years of service to Satan: seven days after Baptism he was ordained a reader, on the twentieth day - a subdeacon, on the thirtieth - a deacon, and after year ordained as a presbyter. Soon Saint Cyprian was elevated to the rank of bishop. The holy martyr 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. During the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Diocletian, Bishop Cyprian and Abbess Justina were captured and brought to Nicomedia, where, after severe torture, they were beheaded with a sword. The warrior Theoktist, seeing the innocent suffering of the saints, declared himself a Christian and was executed along with them. 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.

Iconographic original

Rus. XVII.

Menaion - October (fragment). Icon. Rus. Beginning of the 17th century Church-Archaeological Cabinet of the Moscow Theological Academy.

Constantinople. 985.

Byzantium. XI.

Decani. OK. 1350.

Mchch. Cyprian and Justina. Fresco. Church of Christ Pantocrator. Decani. Kosovo. Serbia. Around 1350.

Russia. XVIII.

Mchch. Cyprian and Justina with their lives. Icon. Russia. End of the 18th century 32 x 26.4. Museum of Icons. Recklinghausen. Germany.

Moscow. 2004.

Mchch. Cyprian and Justina. Proskurina G. (graduate of the Icon Painting School 2006). Icon. Sergiev Posad. 2004

Cyprus. 1192.

Sschmch. Cyprian. Fresco. Cyprus (Arakos). 1192

Constantinople. 985.

Mchch. Cyprian and Justina. Miniature Minology of Vasily II. Constantinople. 985 Vatican Library. Rome.

Byzantium. XI.

St. Cyprian and Justina. Miniature Minology for October. Byzantium. Around the middle of the 11th century. State Historical Museum. Moscow.

In the 3rd century, during the reign of the Roman emperor Decius, a pagan sage, the famous sorcerer Cyprian, lived in Antioch. He appeased the prince of darkness himself with sacrifices, gave him all of himself into power, and he gave him a regiment of demons to serve and promised to make him a prince upon his departure from the body. Many turned to him in their needs, and he helped them with demonic power. One day a young man named Aglaid, the son of rich and noble parents, turned to him. One day he saw the girl Justina and was struck by her beauty, and from then on he began to seek her favor and love, but she refused him: “My groom is Christ; I serve Him and for His sake I preserve my purity.”

Martyrs Cyprian and Justina. Icon with the Life, late 18th century. Russia

Armed with secret knowledge and calling upon unclean spirits for help, Cyprian sent them three times to seduce Justina. They inspired her with evil thoughts, kindled carnal passion in her, tempted her with flattering and crafty speeches, but Justina defeated them with fasting, prayer and the sign of the cross, and, disgraced and frightened by the cross of the Lord, they fled in shame. Cyprian was then indignant and began to take revenge on Justina for his shame. He sent pestilence and plagues to the house of Justina and to the whole city, just as the devil once did to the righteous Job.

MS Note. According to another version, the appearance of an epidemic in the city coincided with these events, and at the same time 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 disease to everyone. After which the frightened people approached Justinia as the culprit of the public disaster and convinced her to satisfy the sorcerer - to marry Aglaid.

She prayed earnestly, and the demonic obsession stopped. After such a change, people began to glorify Christ, and Cyprian, having received his sight, renounced the works of the devil, confessed everything to the local bishop Anthimus, gave him all his books to burn and begged him to perform holy baptism on him,

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.

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.

He completely changed his life; seven days after baptism he was made a reader, twenty days later a subdeacon, thirty days a deacon, and a year later he was ordained a priest. He was soon made a bishop and in this rank he led such a holy life that he became equal to many great saints.

During the persecution of Christians under the Emperor Diocletian, Cyprian and Justina were slandered, put in prison, then they ordered the saint to be hanged and his body flogged, and Justina to be beaten on the lips and eyes. After this they were thrown into a cauldron, but the boiling cauldron did not cause them any harm. In the end, they were condemned to be beheaded by the sword.

Seeing the innocent death of the martyrs, the warrior Theoktist declared himself a Christian and was executed along with them.

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.

Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justina. Miniature Minology for October, mid-11th century. Byzantium

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


Icon - Holy Martyr Cyprian and Martyr Justina.
Commemoration - October 2-October 15

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.

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.

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.

Prayer
Hieromartyr Cyprian
Read in case of emergency, in case of illness and trouble.

Read, naming the names of those for whom you are asking.

We begin to say the prayer of the Holy Martyr Cyprian: in the days or in the nights, or at whatever hour you exercise, all the powers of resistance will fall away from the glory of the Living God.
This Hieromartyr, praying to God with all his soul, said: “Lord God, Mighty and Holy, King of kings, now hear the prayer of Thy servant Cyprian.”
Thousands upon thousands and darkness upon darkness stand before You, Angel and Archangel. You weigh the secret of the hearts of Your servant (name), appear to him, Lord, as Paul in chains and Thecla in fire. So, let me know You, for I am the first to create all my iniquities.
You, holding the cloud and the sky, have not rained on the garden tree, and that is the fruit of the uncreated. Idle wives wait out, and others do not conceive. They only looked at the fence of the city, and did not create anything. The rose will not bloom and the class will not vegetate; The grapes do not bear fruit, and the beasts do not bear fruit. The fish of the sea are not allowed to swim and the birds of the sky are forbidden to fly. So, You showed Your power with the prophet Elijah.
I pray to Thee, O Lord my God; All sorcery, and all evil demons who tend to the sin of man and commit sin on him, You, by Your power, forbid! Now, O Lord my God, the Strong and Great One, who has favored the unworthy, worthy of me to be, and partaker of Thy Holy flock, I pray to Thee, O Lord my God, whoever has this prayer in the house or with himself, do for him what he asks for with it.
Your Most Holy Majesty, who was merciful to me and did not want to destroy me with my iniquities; Thus, do not destroy anyone who prays to You with this prayer.
Strengthen the weak in faith! Strengthen the weak in spirit! Give reason to the desperate one and do not turn away everyone who resorts to Your Holy Name.
Now, falling before You, Lord, I pray and ask Your holy name: in every house and in every place, especially on the Orthodox Christian, there is some sorcery from evil people or from demons, may this prayer be read over the head of a person or in the house and may it be resolved from binding by evil spirits in envy, flattery, jealousy, hatred, malice, intimidation, effective poisoning, from pagan poisoning and from any spell and oath.
Let whoever, having acquired this prayer in his home, be kept from every trick of the devil, indulgence, poison by evil and crafty people, from spells and all witchcraft and sorcery, and may demons flee from him and may evil spirits recede. Lord my God, having power in heaven and on earth, for the sake of Thy Holy Name and for the sake of the unspeakable goodness of Thy Son, our God Jesus Christ, hear at this hour Thy unworthy servant (name), who honors this prayer and through it may all the devil be resolved intrigues.
Just as wax melts in the face of fire, so let all sorcery and evil spells perish from the face of a person who honors this prayer. Like the name, the Life-Giving Trinity, is enlightenment for us, and don’t we know another god than You? We believe in You, we worship You and we pray to You; protect, intercede and save us, O God, from every evil action and sorcery of evil people.
Just as You brought out sweet water from the stone to the sons of Moses, so, Lord God of Hosts, lay Your hand on Your servant (name), full of Your goodness and protect from all deeds.
Bless the house in it, may this prayer abide and everyone who honors my memory, send your mercy to him, Lord, and protect him from all sorcery. Be his helper and protector, O Lord.
Four rivers: Pison, Geon, Euphrates and Tigris: the Edenic man cannot hold back, so no sorcerer can manifest the affairs or dreams of demons before reading this prayer, I conjure by the Living God! May the demon be crushed and all the nasty and evil force unleashed by evil people on the servant of God (name) be driven away.
As he multiplied the years of Hezekiah the king, so multiply the years of him who has this prayer: by the service of the Angel, by the singing of the Seraphim, by the annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from the Archangel Gabriel and the incorporeal for the sake of Her conception, our Lord Jesus Christ, by His glorious Nativity in Bethlehem, by the slaughter of Herod the king four times ten thousand infants and His Holy Baptism received in the Jordan River, fasting and temptation from the devil, His terrible victory and His most terrible judgment, His most terrible miracles in the world: He granted healing and cleansing. Give life to the dead, cast out demons, and fulfill His entry into Jerusalem as a King: - “Ossaina to the Son of David - from the infants crying to Thee, hear” the Holy Passion, the Crucifixion and Burial, enduring, and on the third day the Resurrection came, as it is written, and into heaven ascent. There are numerous Angels and Archangels singing, glorifying His rise, who sits at the right hand of the Father until His second coming to judge the living and the dead.
You have given authority to Your holy disciples and Apostles, saying to them: “Hold and hold on - decide and they will be resolved,” so through this prayer, allow every devilish sorcery over Your servant (name).
For the sake of Your Holy Great Name, I conjure and drive away all wicked and evil souls and the combing of evil people and their sorceries, slander, witchcraft, eye damage, sorcery and every trick of the devil. I pray to You, O most merciful Lord, take me away from Your servant (name), and from his house, and from all his acquisitions.
As you increased the wealth of the righteous Job, so, Lord, increase the household life of the one who has this prayer: the creation of Adam, the sacrifice of Abel, the annunciation of Joseph, the holiness of Enoch, the righteousness of Noah, the conversion of Melchisidek, the faith of Abraham, the holiness of Jacob, the prophecy of the Prophets, the shrine of the Patriarchs, the blood of the Holy Martyrs , the slaughter of Peter and Paul, the childhood of Moses, the virginity of John the Theologian, the priesthood of Aaron, the action of Joshua, the holiness of Samuel, the twelve tribes of Israel, the prayer of the Prophet Elisha, the fasting and knowledge of the Prophet Daniel, the sale of the beautiful Joseph, the Wisdom of the Prophet Solomon, the power of one hundred and sixty Angels, by the prayer of the Honest Glorious Prophet and Baptist John and one hundred to ten Saints of the second council, holy confessors and swearers of the terrible unspeakable name of Your Holy, All-Glorious All-Seer God, and before Him stands a thousand and ten thousand Angels and Archangels. For the sake of their prayers, I pray and ask You, Lord, drive away and overcome all malice and wickedness from Your servant (name), and let it flee to Tartarus.
I offer this prayer to the One and Invincible God, for may salvation befit all Orthodox people in that house, in which there is this prayer, written in seventy-two languages, and may all wickedness be resolved through it; either in the sea, or along the way, or in the source, or in the vault; either in the upper pose or in the lower one; either behind or in front; either in the wall, or in the roof, let it be resolved everywhere!
May every devilish obsession be resolved in the course or in the camp; or in the mountains, or in dens, or in the precincts of houses, or in the abysses of the earth; or in the root of a tree, or in the leaves of plants; either in fields or in gardens; or in the grass, or in a bush, or in a cave, or in a bathhouse, may it be resolved!
Let every evil deed be resolved; either in fish skin or in flesh; or in the skin of a snake, or in the skin of a man; or in elegant jewelry, or in headdresses; or in the eyes, or in the ears, or in the hair of the head, or in the eyebrows; either in bed or in clothes; or in cutting foot nails, or cutting hand nails; either in hot blood or in icy water: let it be resolved!
Let every crime and sorcery be resolved; or in the brain, or under the brain, or in the shoulder, or between the shoulders; either in the muscles or in the legs; either in the leg or in the arm; or in the belly, or under the belly, or in the bones, or in the veins; either in the stomach or within natural limits, let it be resolved!
May every devilish act and obsession committed be resolved; either on gold or on silver; or in copper, or in iron, or in tin, or in lead, or in honey, or in wax; or in wine, or in beer, or in bread, or in food; May everything be resolved!
May every evil devil's intention against man be resolved; or in sea reptiles, or in flying insects; either in animals or in birds; or in the stars, or in the moon; either in beasts or in reptiles; or in charters, or in ink; May everything be resolved!
Even two wicked tongues: salamaru and remihara, pursuit; elizda and the devil from the servant of God (name), by the power of the Honest and Life-giving Cross of the Lord with all the heavenly powers before the High and Terrible Throne of God, create Your servants scorching fire. Cherubim and Seraphim; Authorities and Pristoli; Dominance and Power.
In one hour the thief entered heaven through prayer. Joshua, the sun and the moon, prayed a prayer. The prophet Daniel prayed and stopped the mouths of the lions. Three youths: Ananias, Azariah and Misail extinguish the flame of the cave with fiery prayer. I also pray to You, Lord, grant this prayer to everyone who prays to it.
I pray and ask the holy council of the prophets: Zechariah, Hosea, Jesse, Joel, Micah, Isaiah, Daniel, Jeremiah, Amos, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Nahum and the Prophet John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord: - I pray and ask the four Evangelists, Matthias, Mark , Luke and John the Theologian, and the holy Chief Apostles Peter and Paul, and the holy and righteous Godfather Joachim and Anna, and Joseph the betrothed, and James the Lord's brother according to the flesh, Simeon the God-Receiver, and Simeon the relative of the Lord, and Andrew Christ for the sake of the fool, and John the Merciful, and Ignatius the God-Bearer, and the Hieromartyr Ananias, and Roman the singer of the kontakion, and Mark the Greek, and Cyril the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the Venerable Ephraim the Syrian, and Mark the grave-digger, and the three Great Saints, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, and others like them the holy father of our saints Nicholas Archbishop of Myra Lycian wonderworker, and the holy metropolitans: Peter, Alexy, Jonah, Philip, Hermogenes, Innocent and Cyril, Moscow wonderworkers: St. Anthony, Theodosius and Athanasius, Kiev-Pechersk wonderworkers: St. Sergius and Nikon, Radonezh wonderworkers ; Reverends Zosima and Savatius, Solovetsky miracle workers; Saints Guria and Barsanuphius, Kazan miracle workers; Like our holy fathers: Pachomius, Anthony, Theotosiya, Pimen the Great, and like our holy father Seraphim of Sarov; Samson and Daniel the Stylites; Maximus the Greek, monk Miletius of Mount Athos; Nikon, Patriarch of Antioch, Great Martyr Kyriakos and his mother Iulita; Alexy, the man of God, and the holy venerable myrrh-bearing women: Mary, Magdalene, Euphrosyne, Xenia, Evdokia, Anastasia; The Holy Great Martyrs Paraskeva, Catherine, Fevronia, Marina, who shed their blood for You, Christ our God, and all the saints of the Father who pleased You, Lord, have mercy and save Your servant (name), may no evil and wickedness touch him or his house neither in the evening, nor in the morning, nor in the days, nor in the night, let him not touch.
Save him, Lord, from air, tartar, water, forest, yard and all kinds of other demons and spirits of evil.
I pray to You, Lord, even as this holy prayer of the Hieromartyr Cyprian was written, it was confirmed and marked by the Holy Trinity for the destruction and driving away of all evil, the enemy and adversary of demonic nets, catching people everywhere with the witchcraft and sorcery of Zadok and Naphael, called Ephil, and the daughters of Samuel, skilled in sorcery.
By the Word of the Lord, heaven and earth and everything under heaven were established; by the power of this prayer, all enemy obsession and indulgence were driven out. I call upon all the powers of heaven and Your ranks for help; Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Salafail, Yehudil, Barahail and my Guardian Angel: The power of Your Honest and Life-giving Cross and all the powers and spirits of heaven, and may Your servant, Lord (name), be observed, and may the wickedness of the devil be put to shame by all means By Heavenly Power to the glory of You, Lord, my Creator and to the glory of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
God! You are the only All-Powerful and Almighty, save Your servant (name) through the prayer of the Holy Martyr Cyprian. Say this three times and bow three times.
Lord Jesus Christ the Word and Son of God, through the prayer of Your Most Holy Mother and my Guardian Angel, have mercy on me, Your sinful servant (name). Say this three times and bow three times.
All saints and righteous ones, pray to the Merciful God for the servant (name), that he will preserve and have mercy on me from every enemy and adversary. (Say this three times and bow three times.)

Kontakion: Turning from magical art, O God-wise, to the knowledge of the Divine, you appeared to the world as the wisest physician, granting healing to those who honor you, Cyprian and Ustina: with her we pray to the Lord who loves mankind to save our souls.



 
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