Sts Cyprian and Justina
On the 21st day of the Coptic month of Tute we celebrate the Life of Saints Cyprian and Justina.
Cyprian (also known as Cyprianus) was an infidel and a magician. He learned magic in the countries of northwest Africa until he excelled over his fellows. His excessive impudence and arrogance made him go to Antioch to challenge the magicians there to demonstrate his superior knowledge.
When he arrived there, his fame spread. A young man, a nobleman’s son, heard about him.
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This young man lusted for a Christian virgin who was called Justina. He saw her going to church and his heart became inflamed for her. He was unable to obtain what he desired of her either by money, threat, or magic.
He sought Cyprian that he might use his magic to help the young man gain favor with Justina's heart to fulfill his desire. Cyprian agreed to help. He used all the trickery of his sorcery but failed. Every time he sent her a host of demons, they found her praying and would return defeated.
When Cyprian failed, he called the demons and told them, "If you do not bring Justina to me, I shall adopt Christianity." The chief of these demons dispatched one of his minions to disguise itself in the form of Justina and then go to Cyprian. Then this lead demon hastened to tell Cyprian of her coming, so he rejoiced and waited for her. Then Satan, disguised as Justina, came to him, and Cyprian rejoiced, and rose up to embrace her. Because of his great joy in her, he told her, "Welcome, Queen of Women, Justina." Upon the mere mention of her name, Satan’s disguise melted away and it disappeared in an unpleasant smelling smoke. Cyprian now knew that this deceitful Satan was powerless by mere mentioning of Justina’s name.
Immediately Cyprian rose up and burnt his books of magic. He was baptized by the patriarch of Antioch who put on him the monastic garb. After a while he ordained him as a deacon, then a priest. Later on, after he had grown in virtues and in the doctrine of the church, they ordained him bishop of Carthage in the year 351 A.D. He took St. Justina and made her the head of a convent there. When the Ecumenical Council convened at Carthage, this saint was one of those who attended it.
When Emperor Decius heard of them, he had them brought before the imperial court and demanded them to raise incense to the idols. When they refused, he inflicted upon them many tortures and finally cut off their heads with the sword.
Lessons from this story
There is to be no doubt that sorcery exists. Fortune tellers, Tarot card readers, tea leaves and the like all bend heavily towards this extension of the devil’s trickery. Many have been fooled by the devil’s designs to deceive. But all of life comes from one source, God. And though our human eyes can be easily duped by Satan, the breath of life given to us freely by God can warn us.
God saves all, wants all to be within His care, but He also knows our heart. The innocent soul ignorant of the truth about Christ is forgiven their ignorance and God leads them to the True Creator and Salvitic path that is Jesus Christ. But then there is the darkened heart that even when faced with the truth scorns at it. Chasing one passion after another, lost to true divinity within ourselves.
We are blessed with accessible knowledge of Christianity. Many are born into, convert to it or are even now struggling to come to it. But back then, Christianity was not as easily attainable. But time proves truth. Over two thousand years have passed since Jesus Christ broken bread with his disciples and still Christianity is the single largest faith on the planet. It is found in every country, though for a great many believers, they are persecuted for simply being Christian.
Do not be fooled by the magic of special effects for they tell a story that is not true. Listen to the still small voice that Elijah heard in the cave (1Kings 19:11-13).
Prayer
Oh Heavenly Father of all, guide us through the darkness and help us always to avoid the snares set by the evil one. Give us sight on You surround us with your saints and angels that we may enjoy eternal life with You. May the prayers of Sts Cyprian and Justina be with us always, amen.
