On Saints Cyprian and Justina

On Wednesday, October 15 (October 2 on the Orthodox Calendar), we will have divine services for the feast of Saints Cyprian and Justina. I urge all of our parishioners and friends in the Detroit area to come to church that day and partake of the grace which we gain from the intercession of these saints, who are mightyto help in delivering us from every kind of demonic attack.

St. Cyprian (Kyprianos in Greek), who lived in the 3rd century, was for many years a pagan priest and powerful sorceror. His Life relates that he became so advanced in the occult arts that he could summon Satan himself. He had, then, sold his soul to the devil and thus consigned himself to eternal torment, in order to have magical powers in this world, to satisfy his pride, to enjoy the thrill of power, to gain control over other people, and to amass wealth. The fact that he later became a Christian, a bishop, and a martyr, is thus truly amazing, and his life a great example to us. How did this come about? Cyprian’s deliverance came through a Christian virgin named Justina, upon whom he had been hired to cast a spell. A young pagan man, Aglais, was inflamed with desire for her, but she refused him, desiring to preserve both her Christian faith and her vow of virginity. Aglaish hired Cyprian to bewitch her, but no matter which demons, even Satan, the magician sent against her, she prevailed by her great prayer and humility. Awed by her example, and impressed by the obvious fact that Christ was mightier than Satan, Cyprian forsook the devil, confessed Christ, was baptized, and later became both a bishop and martyr, suffering at the same time with Justina, who had become his faithful spiritual daughter.

Today, brothers and sisters, we are involved in no less real a spiritual warfare against the devil and his fallen angels. What is at stake is not simply temporary happiness in this life but our eternal destiny. It is critical to remember that, apart from the action of God’s grace, human souls, fallen as they are, are naturally in communion with demons, and that therefore we must distrust and question our desires and thoughts, submitting every thought and action to the mind of Christ, which is expressed fully only in the tradition of the Orthodox Church. It is not enough to “be good” in a superficial worldly sense. We must constantly, daily, cleanse our bodies through restraint in food and all other pleasures, our lips through silence, and our minds through prayer and spiritual study of the teaching of the Orthodox Fathers. We must by all means avoid deluding ourselves into thinking that we are already “good” and therefore do not need to repent, for if we think like this, the devil owns us. If we do fall into some kind of demonic temptation, it is critical not to delay, but to go quickly to our spiritual father, first of all to make a complete and honest confession of our sins, to begin whatever kanona (“penance”) is needed for our condition, and thus begin preparation to take Holy Communion at an appointed time. . There are also prayers against the “evil eye” and “magia” which the priest can read over us as often as needed. By the prayers of Ss. Cyprian and Justina, O Christ, save us!

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Hymns from the Service to Saints Cyprian and Justina