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The Story of Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin Martyr Justina, and Martyr Theoctistus · Saints and Scripture

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Saints and Scripture Podcast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today is Friday, october sixth, twenty twenty six.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today we remember Hieromartyr Cyprian, Virgin Martyr Justina, and Martyr Theoctistus of Nicomedia.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Cyprian was born a pagan in Antioch.
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  SPEAKER_00: From childhood his parents dedicated him to serving pagan gods.
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  SPEAKER_00: From age seven to thirty, he studied pagan philosophy and sorcery in many places, including Mount Olympus, Argos, Teropolis, Memphis in Egypt, and Babylon.
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  SPEAKER_00: He became a pagan priest and was known for his power to summon demons and perform magic.
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  SPEAKER_00: He amazed many with his spells, bringing ruin to those who followed him.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Justina was a holy virgin living in Antioch.
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  SPEAKER_00: She turned her parents away from paganism and dedicated herself to Christ through fasting and prayer.
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  SPEAKER_00: When a young man named Agladus wanted to marry her, she refused, wishing to remain a virgin.
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  SPEAKER_00: Agladus asked Cyprian to help make Justina desire him.
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  SPEAKER_00: But despite all his efforts, including sending demons to tempt her, Justina remained strong through prayer and the sign of the cross.
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  SPEAKER_00: Cyprian sent plagues and pestilence on Justina's family and the city, but her prayers stopped these afflictions.
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  SPEAKER_00: People began to praise Christ and mock Cyprian's sorcery.
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  SPEAKER_00: Seeing the power of Christ, Cyprian repented.
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  SPEAKER_00: He burned his books of magic and sought baptism.
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  SPEAKER_00: Afterward he became a reader, then deacon, priest, and finally bishop.
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  SPEAKER_00: He converted many pagans, and the pagan temples fell out of use.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saint Justina became a monastery superior.
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  SPEAKER_00: During the persecution under Emperor Diocletian, Cyprian and Justina were arrested and taken to Nicomedia.
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  SPEAKER_00: After terrible tortures they were beheaded.
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  SPEAKER_00: Cyprian asked to pray before his death so Justina's courage would not falter.
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  SPEAKER_00: She was beheaded first.
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  SPEAKER_00: A soldier named Theoctistus, moved by Justina's suffering, declared himself a Christian and was also beheaded with them.
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  SPEAKER_00: Saints Cyprian, Justina, and Theocistus suffered for Christ in the year three hundred four.
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  SPEAKER_00: Their relics are kept in various places.
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  SPEAKER_00: One of Cyprian's feet is at Aviron Monastery on Mount Othos.
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  SPEAKER_00: Pieces of their skulls are in churches in Nicosia and Attica.
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  SPEAKER_00: Justina's head is at a monastery on the island of Andros.
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  SPEAKER_00: A part of Cyprian's hand is in a church in Bucharest, Romania.
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  SPEAKER_00: Their lives remind us of the power of faith and prayer to overcome evil and the courage to stand firm in Christ.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let us pray.
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord, help us to have faith like Saint Justina, courage like Saint Cyprian, and the strength to follow you no matter the cost.
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  SPEAKER_00: Protect us from evil and guide us in your truth.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, with one God.
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  SPEAKER_00: Amen.