Memory of Hieromartyr Cyprian

Today, October 2, the Church commemorates Hieromartyr Cyprian and Virgin Martyr Justina. We also commemorate Venerable Theophilus, who vehemently defended the holy icons during the iconoclasm, and New Martyr George, who was martyred in AD 1794 in Karacasu, Asia Minor, proud of his Christian faith.

Saint Cyprian was born in Antioch, Syria. He was a nobleman, rich, philosopher, and magician, who converted to Christianity when he tried to subdue the faith of Justina and failed to do so.

While using all the power of his magic spells, he finally admitted and believed that the only almighty God is Jesus Christ, for whose love he bravely accepted the greatest tortures along with the virgin Justina.

They were both beheaded in AD 250 during the reign of Decius and became witnesses of Christian martyrdom.

Many of our fellow human beings, possibly out of recklessness and misinformation, resort to magic, destructive worship, and unorthodox methods to achieve their vain desires, ignoring the fact that the human soul is the most precious divine gift secured by the stable and immovable providence of God.

Source: Church of Cyprus