At the dawn of the Christian era, true worshipers of Jesus Christ, who recognized Him as the Savior, and believers in eternal life, went to execution with special, sometimes inexplicable joy, enduring inhuman torture. The icon of Saints Cyprian and Justina is a holy image, a monument to the victory of the Christian faith over the evil forces of the occult, magic and fortune telling.
On October 15, the martyrs Cyprian and Ustinya, one of the first Christians who suffered in the fight against evil spirits and demonic temptations, are venerated in the churches of the Orthodox Church.
Story
According to an ancient Orthodox legend, Saint Cyprian was completely immersed in the world of magic and witchcraft from an early age. He tried to use his unique incredible magical abilities for good intentions, helping the sick and needy. Wandering around the world and gaining new life experiences, Cyprian discovered many picturesque beauties. However, ultimately, fate forced him to return to his hometown called Antioch. And at this time, one of the passing days, an unfamiliar but wealthy young man once came to him. He needed help from Cyprian in his matters of the heart. The young man demanded that he use his sorcerer’s abilities, forcing Ustinya’s feelings against her will. And this was not without reason. After all, the young girl Ustinya was unusually sweet and beautiful. However, from childhood she was completely devoted to the love of God, deciding to devote her life to Jesus Christ until the end of her days.
And in order for the girl to unwittingly fall in love with Aglaid, Cyprian sent many enchanted demons and evil spells on her. However, true love for God was able to completely protect the young girl from the evil spirits of the magician. Then, Cyprian decided to make a second attempt to realize his sinister and illegal plan. He brought a terrible disease into the city, from which it was impossible to get rid of.
Many people began to get sick with it, but despite this, Ustinya still believed that sooner or later, the Lord God would hear the prayers of believing citizens and would definitely help them survive terrible adversities
This is how it all happened, after Ustinya prayed, the Almighty heard her and again saved her from terrible troubles. After this phenomenon, Cyprian fully realized the true power of God, recognizing his power above any, even the most powerful, spells. And as a sign of admiration and respect for the great Orthodox power, he forever accepts the Christian faith and subsequently, together with Ustinya, takes part in its spread.
It is important to note that on the icon of Cyprian and Ustinya, the biblical heroes are depicted on the shrine together, standing next to each other. At the same time, on some compositions you can see one active image from those presented above. An example is the icon of St. Cyprian.
Life of Saint Cyprian
The history of the great martyrs began a long time ago in the city of Antioch. There lived a little boy whose name was Cyprian. His life was spent in a pagan family; his parents did not recognize Christianity. When Cyprian reached the age of seven, he was sent to study with the priests who worshiped the god Apollo. He was a diligent student, so by the age of 10 he had become much more successful in witchcraft than his peers.
After the boy reached his eleventh year, he was sent to study at Mount Olympus. There he was taught by the most experienced and powerful priests. Every day he learned something new, advancing in the art of witchcraft.
He was taught to bring misfortune to people, and due to the lack of a positive example, Cyprian considered this right and acceptable. He could send illness or damage to an entire city; people and animals died from his witchcraft. In his dark cave, he read demonic books, plunging more and more into the abyss of sin.
Hieromartyr Cyprian
By adulthood, Cyprian had become so powerful that none of the sorcerers could compare with him. People contacted him about the following questions:
- resurrection of the dead;
- calling the souls of deceased relatives;
- damage to enemy property.
Cyprian became a subject of the devil himself. He was amazed at the depth of his knowledge, and therefore allowed him to use the power of demons. If necessary, Cyprian simply, by the power of his witchcraft, summoned the demon he needed and gave him a task. Many people died because of the magician's activities, but he was not going to stop.
Despite the fact that many believers turned to the Lord for help from the actions of the sorcerer, the Almighty did not kill the rebellious magician. God is almighty and merciful - he wanted to make Cyprian believe too.
Holiday
The icon of Cyprian and Ustinia is especially revered on the day of celebration.
According to ancient church customs in honor of the memory of the two saints, it is held on October 15.
On this day, people remember the long history of the two martyrs, as well as their great deeds that were accomplished in the name of the Lord God.
Hieromartyr Cyprian and Martyr Justinia
On the same day, the life of St. Ustina is a maiden. Bless you father!
The appearance from heaven to earth of our Savior Jesus Christ, by the prophetic words of the former, the whole under heaven was enlightened, by the words of those who believe in one God the Father Almighty and in our Lord Jesus Christ, baptized in the Holy Spirit. There was a virgin named Justin, Edesias the father, and the mother Clidonia, in the city of Antiochist, which was near Dathan. She sat in her temple at the window and listened to the elder deacon named Prauleia, speaking about the greatness of God, preaching the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, the prophecy and birth of the Virgin Mary, and the adoration of the sorcerer, and the appearance of a star, and the praise of angels, the power of the cross and signs and wonders that happen, and the resurrection from the dead, and the appearance of the hedgehog to the disciples, and the hedgehog covenant to them, and the ascension into heaven, and the hedgehog’s sitting at the right hand of the Father, and His indestructible Kingdom.
Having heard these words, and even more so, seeing through the window, the holy virgin spoken by the deacon, cannot endure the burning of the Holy Spirit, but wanting to see the face of the deacon, and not being able to see, the speech of her mother: Mother, listen to your daughter, they are nothing, they are the same all the days We worship: for they are idols, they are wood, and they are made of silver and gold, and the bones of animals were created by human hands, but even if one comes from Galilee, without a human hand, he will conquer everything with word and prayer. She is covered with the pride of wisdom, saying: Child, may not your father misunderstand your advice. The blessed one said to her: Let this be known to your mother and to my father, that I seek Christ, preached by my neighbor Prowl, seeing that they will listen to Him for many days, for there is no other God, in Him we can be saved.
When she left, the individual made prayers to God, and her mother told her husband everything on her bed that night. Having been careful about herself a lot and therefore fallen asleep in joy, she saw in a dream how an angelic army came to her in the temple with burning lights, saying: And I will give you the Kingdom of God. Having seen Edesius, he was terrible, got up early in the morning, took his wife and daughter, went to church with Proul, and prayed, and may he bring him to Bishop Eptat. The deacon did this, listening to him, and falling at the feet of the bishop, praying to him that he would give them a sign of Christ. The bishop did not want to, until he told him the appearance of Christ and the desire of the maiden, who was named for Christ’s sake. Edesius shorn the hair of his head and braided, for the priest of the idols, having fallen to the bishop, received the sign of Christ. Edesius was honored with the rank of priesthood; abide in it one summer and six months, rest in peace. The holy virgin often goes to church.
This same Iglaida, named scholastic, is of good birth and extremely rich, a destroyer in character; I am afraid of the idolatry of flattery, in vain the holy virgins often go to church, according to her desire, and ask her husband many times about the will of his wife, asking about imprisonment. The saint, annoying everyone, sends me away, saying: I am already betrothed to Christ. He, having gathered the people, wanted to create a need for her. And those who were with her made a great cry, and the cry of those who were in her house. They, having heard, came running with weapons and drove them away. He himself was obsessed with lust, he beat the girl and held her. The holy virgin, having created the sign of Christ, threw the sign42 to the ground, and smote his ribs and bloodied his face, tore his vestments, set him up and put him to shame, like the teacher who did Thekla43, and so she went to church.
Aglaidas, getting angry, approached a single sorcerer named Cyprian, and promised to give him two talents of gold and silver, so that he could capture the holy virgin, if possible, with his magic, and not the knowledgeable one, as the power of Christ is invincible. Cyprian took pity on the loss, calling upon the demon with his magic, and the demon walked and said: Why did you call me? He spoke to him: Unosha loved to eat the maiden from Galilee; can you betray me? The damned demon, who is not his, as if he was, promised. Cyprian spoke to him: Tell me your deeds, so that you may believe in them. The demon spoke to him: The criminal of God, having listened to my father, the heavens were crushed, the angels from on high revealed, Evga was deceived, Adam was deprived of paradise, and Cain taught murder and the earth with the blood of the desecrated, thorns and thistles vegetated for my sake, a disgrace gathered together, adultery prepared , I created reproach, the people of Israel taught them to serve an idol, and taught her to worship a calf, and I drowned Christ, I shook cities, tore down walls, divided houses. Create everything, how can I appear angry for her sake? But take this spell and cast it around her temple, so that when I come, I will direct the mind of my father to her, and Abiye will listen to you.
The holy virgin rose at the third hour of the night and offered prayers to God; Having realized the desire of the demon and the fervor of the heart, he looked to his Lady, and with the sign and power of the Cross signifying his whole body, with a great voice he said: God Almighty, Father of Your earthly servant Jesus Christ, plunged the man-killing serpent into the abyss of fire and saved those caught by him, the vast sky and establish the earth, enlighten the sun and the moon, create light, create man in your image, bring food into paradise, so that the creatures that were brought to earth by You through the deception of the serpent may enjoy, carry him, O Lover of mankind, but by the power of Your Cross you have increased Jesus Christ, by Him the whole world is enlightened be. Everyone knows You, God who exists above all; Thou, Lord, even now save Thy servant by Thy word, and let no misfortune touch me; You have promised to preserve your virginity to the Only Son Jesus Christ; For I have loved You with all my heart and with all my strength, Jesus Christ, for You have led the lamp of my soul with the love of Your Holy Spirit; I pray the same to You: do not put me in the hands of the destroyer and do not weaken me, so that I will not break the promises made to You, but drive away from me the adviser of evil, the demon. And I swore, marking my whole body with the sign of Christ, and blew on the demon, and drove it away to shame. The demon was put to shame when he came before Cyprian. And Cyprian said to him: Where is it, because I sent you, that I was on duty, but you didn’t catch it? The demon speaks: Do not ask me, for I cannot speak to you: for I saw the sign and ran away in fear. Cyprian, having cursed him, summoned a stronger demon with his magic. And he came and said: Cyprian, smell your command and his malice; By the same token my father the devil sent me to correct your sorrows; but take this spell and sprinkle it around her temple, so that when I come I will give you away. So do Cyprian, and the demon goes to the virgin. The holy virgin, having risen at the sixth hour of the night, offered her prayer to God, saying to her: At midnight I rose to confess to Thee the destinies of Thy righteousness, O God of all mercy, the heavenly law, and the guardian of the highest, and the most terrible of the underground, put to shame the devil and magnify the sacrifice to Abraham, overthrew Vila and slaying the serpent, and known by His youth,45 create in the mind of Your Divinity the Babylonians, look upon everyone with His beloved youth Jesus Christ, enlightening, and make the darkened and mortified ods of old alive, do not despise me, O Lover of mankind, the King, but keep my purity and keep the lamp of my virginity unquenchable, May I go down with my bridegroom, Jesus Christ, and repay the pure tradition of Christ, which He will betray to me, for to You is glory forever and ever. Amen.
Having prayed to Sitsa, rebuke the demon with Christ, and drive away the demon to shame. He was put to shame when he came before Cyprian, and Cyprian said: “Where is it, why did I send you?” The demon said: I am defeated and cannot say, for I saw the sign and ran away in fear. Cyprian spoke, calling upon the imaginary all-stronger, the father of the demon himself, and said: What is this malice, quickly defeated and all your strength? The demon said: I will prepare you, just be ready. Cyprian spoke to him: What is the sign of your victory? The demon said: I will burn with various fires. The demon walked for six days at midnight, venerated himself in the image of a maiden, went into the temple, where the holy virgin lived, and sat on the bed, speaking to the holy maiden: I want to be with you this day, I am sent by Christ to preserve your virginity. But what then is the passion of your virginity, tell me, what is its reward? I see you very depressed by fasting. The holy virgin says: There is much reward, but passion is small. The demon said: Eva, who was a virgin, listened to another in heaven, and gave birth to sons, and gave understanding to good and evil, and from her the whole world was born. And you, having listened to me, go with me, or I may lead you. The holy virgin, walking out of the door, was seduced by the demon; The demon jumped up from here first. She gave birth46 and became very confused, and realizing who was deceiving her, turned to prayer, signified by the sign of Christ, I blew on the demon and put it to shame and drove it away. She remained silent from embarrassment, praised God, and the fire retreated from her. Having begun, I say: Glory to You, Christ my God, saving those who have been raped by hostility and enlightening Your servants who do Your will, do not betray me, O Master, so that I will not be overcome by hostility, but nail my flesh to Your fear and have mercy on me with Your law, and give glory to Your name. Amen.
The demon appeared to Cyprian with a great cold. Cyprian spoke to him: Or are you conquered by one virgin? What is the power of her victory? The demon said: I cannot say this, for I saw the sign and ran away in fear. If you want to see it, bow down and let the river flow. Cyprian said: How can the maple be blessed by the great powers that exist within me? Cyprian said: Because of your great strength I will not deny you. The demon, believing them, said: I saw the sign of Propnenago and ran away in fear. Cyprian's speech: Do you want to eat the drunken one anymore? The demon said: Listen, I tell you the whole truth, as long as we deceive them, or do anything, it will be allowed to us here; but there they are copper pitchforks, and when they burn, they will lay them on the neck of either an angel or a man, having sinned, and so with a fiery desire the angels are led before the judgment of the Propnenago. Cyprian said: For the same reason, I want to strive to be a friend of the Drunken One, lest I be counted in the same torment. The demon speaks: You swore by me, but did you break your oath? Cyprian's speech: What kind of curse are you? Word of speech: By my great powers. Cyprian said: And I am not afraid of you and I am not afraid of your strength, for this night I have faith in the prayers of the holy maiden and the sign of the Heated One, for you are weak and defeated47, even though I was signified by a sign, I deny you. And he said, signifying, saying: Glory to Thee, O God! get away from me demon; I seek for my Christ. The demon left was put to shame.
Cyprian touched his magic books with the youth, and came with them to the Church of God and fell at the feet of the blessed Anthimus the bishop, saying: Servant of the blessed Christ, I want to be a warrior of Christ, to be counted among His flock. Blessed Anthimus, thinking that the faithful also wanted to seduce him, spoke to him: Cyprians, do not tempt the Church of God, for His power is invincible. Cyprian said: I believe in Him, for I am invincible. On this night, demons were sent to the holy virgin Justina, although they deceived her, and they saw that with my prayers I had conquered the sign of Christ, I drove away. In the same way, take my books and burn them with fire, and have mercy on me. Saint Anthimus, who believed in them, burned his books, and, having blessed himself, let him go, promising to join the Church of God. Cyprian went to his house, crushed the idols, and wept and wept all night, saying: Woe to me, how can I appear before the judgment seat of Christ, having created so much evil? How can I bless my lips, in the image of an oath, calling upon unclean demons? Having sprinkled ashes on his head, he lay silently, asking for God's mercy. On the morning of the Great Easter, I went to the Church of God. He who came along the way began to say: Lord! If I am worthy of Thy servant, having been baptized perfect, grant that those who enter into Thy Church may hear the words of the holy books, which is similar to my salvation. And as I entered the church, David said: You have seen, do not remain silent, Lord, do not depart from me. Isaiah again: Behold, of course, My servant. David again: My eyes are different in the morning, teach me by Thy word. And again Isaiah: Fear not, O my child unto Jacob, and my beloved to Israel whom I have chosen. Likewise Paul the Apostle: Christ has redeemed us from the legal oath. David again: Whoever speaks of the power of the Lord and is heard will do all His praise.
Then the enlightenment of the Gospel, then the teaching from the bishop, then the word of Katikhumen, and the deacon saying: You will come into Katikhumen. Cyprian sat down, and Deacon Asterius said to him: Get out. And Cyprian said: I was created a slave to the Crucified One, so cast me out? The deacon speaks: You are no longer perfect. Cyprian said: Christ is alive, I have put to shame the demons and saved the holy virgin, and have mercy on me; I will not go away unless I am perfect. Deacon Asterius to tell the bishop. Having called the bishop, he tortured him according to the law, and made a prayer over him, as if everyone was crying; and so baptize and. On the eighth day the mysteries of Christ became similar. On the 20th day the subdeacon and doorkeeper of the holy mysteries of the holy court, and on the 50th day the deacon of Christ became. Grace was given to him to cure demons and heal every ailment, and many learned to become Christians because of Elin’s faith. Having passed away, the neighbor50 became a bishop; he will live in the rank of caretaker for 16 years. Blessed Anthimus, having summoned bishops from the surrounding cities, told them about the church dispensation while he was still alive, and gave the episcopate table to Cyprian, not for many days to rest in Christ in peace. Cyprian created many things in the church, created a holy virgin deaconess and called her name Justina, and made her a mother monastery. And Cyprian enlightened many with his words and, turning them away from heresy, joined the flock of Christ; to Him be glory forever and ever. Amen51.
Prayer before the icon of Cyprian and Ustinya
Prayer is an important and obligatory ritual used by believers while in sacred Orthodox churches. Each of the existing prayers has its own special purpose, which, if handled correctly, allows people to be heard by the Lord God himself. Being in front of the icon of Kupriyan and Ustinya, people pray, first of all, with the goal of getting rid of damage.
Troparion, tone 4
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 having become a participant in the morals of the Apostles, and having become an heir to their throne, through your deeds you, the Inspired One, have achieved the ascent to contemplation; 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, tone 1
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 magical craft 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. In the same way, even now, you will be prayers and intercessors for us, the 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.
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The relics of Saints Cyprian and Justina: where they are, how they are applied, how they help.
Nowadays, in order to read the contents of the akathist to the Great Martyr Justia and Cyprian, it is enough to come to any temple and go to the shop at the temple.
However, the sympathy of Christian believers for this prayer service is based not only on spirituality and admiration, but also with the confidence that petitions submitted through prayer will protect us, our loved ones, and our home from unclean spirits and evil forces.
The text of the akathist tells about the existence and deeds of angels, which became known thanks to the notes of their contemporaries. The akathist also talks about the torment of the persecution of the Orthodox during the reign of Tsar Diocletian.
