Today we celebrate the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Virginmartyr Justina. For many years, Cyprian studied the dark arts of magic, becoming one of the most renowned sorcerers in all of Nicomedia. Having come face to face with the devil himself, Cyprian entrusted his soul to the evil one in exchange for supernatural powers. One day, a man fell in love with the pious Justina and sought her hand in marriage. Wishing to remain a virgin, Justina refused and this enraged the young man. He went to Cyprian for help, who offered him his best spells and incantations to make the young virgin fall for him. In vain did Cyprian try, because all his attempts failed miserably. At every temptation, the holy Justina made the sign of the Cross or prayed in the name of Jesus Christ and any demon wishing to assail her was conquered. Being enraged himself, Cyprian turned to the devil who appeared to him and reproached him saying, “if you tremble and vanish at the mere sight of the Cross and the sound of the name of Jesus Christ, what power do you even have?” The evil one attacked Cyprian by the throat, who in turn made the sign of the cross and prayed the name of the Lord. At once, the devil was rendered useless and thus Cyprian was victorious. Seeking forgiveness from the virgin Justina, Cyprian repented of his evil deeds, burnt his demonic books, and was baptised. He soon became a priest and then bishop. The righteous Justina entered a convent of which she became the abbess. They were both eventually tortured and martyred for their faith.

Ἀπολυτίκιον
Ἦχος γ’. Θείας πίστεως.
Θείας πίστεως, τὴ φωταυγεία, σκότος ἔλιπες, τῆς ἀσεβείας, καὶ φωστὴρ τῆς ἀληθείας γεγένησαι ποιμαντικῶς γὰρ φαιδρύνας τὸν βίον σου, Κυπριανὲ τὴ ἀθλήσει δεδόξασαι. Πάτερ Ὅσιε, τὸν Κτίστην ἠμὶν ἰλέωσαι, ὁμοὺ σὺν Ἰουστίνη τὴ Θεόφρονι.

Κοντάκιον
Ἦχος α’. Χορὸς Ἀγγελικός.
Ἐκ τέχνης μαγικῆς, ἐπιστρέψας θεόφρον, πρὸς γνῶσιν θεϊκήν, ἀνεδείχθης τῷ κόσμῳ, ἀκέστωρ σοφώτατος, τὰς ἰάσεις δωρούμενος, τοῖς τιμῶσί σε, Κυπριανὲ σὺν Ἰουστίνῃ· μεθ’ ἧς πρέσβευε, τῷ Φιλανθρώπῳ Δεσπότῃ, σωθῆναι τοὺς δούλους σου.

Μεγαλυνάριον
Πλάνης σοφιστείας ἀπολιπών, τῆς θείας σοφίας, ἀνεδείχθης λαμπρὸς φωστήρ, καὶ σὺν Ἰουστίνῃ, Κυπριανὲ ἀθλήσας, τῆς ἄνω βασιλείας, ἄμφω ἔτυχε.

Troparion — Tone 3
You abandoned ungodly darkness, becoming a light of truth; / You were illustrious as a pastor; / You were glorified in contest: / O righteous Father Cyprian together with godly Justina, / Intercede for us before God the Creator of all!

Kontakion — Tone 1
You turned from the art of sorcery to the knowledge of God, / and were shown forth as a skillful healer for the world, Cyprian, inspired by God. / Together with Justina you grant cures to those who honor you; / with her, pray to the Master who loves mankind that He may save our souls.

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