The Holy Martyrs Cyprian and Justina

After the usual beginning, we say:

KONTAKIA and OIKOI:

Kontakion 1

You who were formerly a teacher of wickedness, and were shown to be a Hierarch through the honorable virgin Justina, and as a wise shepherd, from the thorns of deception you blossomed as a most beautiful flower, and us faithful you have filled with the fragrances of healings and with the rays of your wonders, strengthen us to sing to you:

• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Oikos 1

Wonderful was your life shown to be, O Saint, for from childhood you were devoted to idolatrous service, but the Lord, knowing your zeal for true knowledge, revealed to you through a pure virgin Christ, the only Truth; marveling at this mystery and divine providence, with faith we sing to you:

• Rejoice, you who have broken the idolatrous service;
• Rejoice, for you have shown the devil’s deception;
• Rejoice, for you were zealous for the knowledge of truth;
• Rejoice, you who even in pagan knowledge showed yourself skilled;
• Rejoice, you who knew devilish arts and sorceries;
• Rejoice, for all these you later held in contempt;
• Rejoice, for you can deliver us from the devil’s temptation;
• Rejoice, for you free us from heretical errors;
• Rejoice, for you show us the path to truth;
• Rejoice, for your prayers deliver us from all evil;
• Rejoice, helper of those in distress;
• Rejoice, for you impart your light to all;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 2

With the arts of your sorceries, you wrought many harms and evils at first; but then coming to the knowledge of truth, you redeemed the time, bringing many from error to Christ, and teaching them to sing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 2

Carthage, Antioch, and Egypt nourished you from childhood with devilish knowledge and the foul teaching of idolatrous service, but the Lord, with His unspeakable mercy unconquered by human sins, ordained your return through a pure virgin; glorifying this mercy, to you who were deemed worthy to obtain it, we sing:

• Rejoice, for God turned you from pagan service;
• Rejoice, for you thus knew His mercy;
• Rejoice, we bring to you, we worshippers of Christ;
• Rejoice, for in turning, you turned many to God;
• Rejoice, for even today you are a living example to the erring;
• Rejoice, for you enlighten the path of those blinded by heresies;
• Rejoice, for you guard the Church of rational sheep from error;
• Rejoice, for you defend Her from affliction;
• Rejoice, we sing to you with compunction;
• Rejoice, deliverer from the evil enemy;
• Rejoice, healer of those who seek your support;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 3

In a wonderful way God ordained your return from pagan service, O Saint, for first He chose a pure virgin named Justina, who, through the preaching of the deacon Prailius, learning the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and His holy teaching, came from paganism to the Christian faith, learning to glorify God and to sing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 3

As seed falling on good ground, the preaching of Christ in Justina’s heart brought forth much fruit, for she, together with her parents, came to Christ, serving Him in prayer, fasting, and self-control; seeing this wonderful work we marvel, and understanding how mysteriously God ordains the return of His chosen ones to light, we sing to you, for whom the path was long prepared:

• Rejoice, for the Lord knew you to be a chosen vessel;
• Rejoice, for first Justina, the pure virgin, set out on the Lord’s path;
• Rejoice, for through her the path of your return to Christ was prepared;
• Rejoice, for Justina first turned her parents from pagan service;
• Rejoice, for Justina proved to be the chosen Bride of Christ;
• Rejoice, for she served Him in fasting and much prayer;
• Rejoice, for her soul was shown to be ground with much fruitfulness;
• Rejoice, for she taught us to worship the Creator, not His creation;
• Rejoice, for even today you give light to the doubtful;
• Rejoice, for to you run those who waver in faith;
• Rejoice, and together with Justina pray for us;
• Rejoice, for through your prayers we are delivered from distress;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 4

Seeing the great zeal of the virgin for Christ, for she had begun to turn many from pagan service, the hater of good and of men stirred up against her a terrible war of wickedness; but she, strengthened by the Sign of the Cross, crushed the devil’s power through prayer, singing to God: Alleluia!

Oikos 4

With great cunning the enemy of the human race thought to turn Justina from the path of salvation, but the crafty one did not understand that thus he worked the return to salvation and to divine service also of God’s other vessels, and spread a deceitful snare with skill against her, through the young man Aglaid Scholasticus, wishing to hunt her for a life of uncleanness. But, strengthened by the power of Christ, she was guarded from all defilement; wherefore we also, amazed at the wise ordinances of God, say to you:

• Rejoice, for the devil’s snares accomplished nothing against the pure virgin;
• Rejoice, for through Aglaid Scholasticus, your good zeal was to be shown;
• Rejoice, for thus God ordains the paths of salvation;
• Rejoice, for you teach us to be strong and steadfast in time of temptation;
• Rejoice, for the virgin was not tempted by crafty plots;
• Rejoice, for through the grace of her heavenly Bridegroom, she was guarded from all evil;
• Rejoice, for the cunning snares did not deceive her;
• Rejoice, for the ewe lamb of Christ showed her good zeal steadfast;
• Rejoice, for her example must stand before us;
• Rejoice, O Saint, for you valued her wise purity;
• Rejoice, for through your prayers we are defended from many temptations;
• Rejoice, and make our prayers well-accepted before the Lord;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 5

Unable, either by crafty enticements or by force, to draw the virgin from the preservation of her purity, Aglaid ran to you, all-glorious Cyprian, who were then known as an idolatrous priest and great sorcerer and enchanter, for thus God had ordained the mystery of your return to Christ; marveling at this unspeakable wisdom, we offer song to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 5

With the unclean power of your sorceries you then attempted, Cyprian, to tempt the purity of the virgin Justina, to incline her towards burning desire, towards the uncleanness of Aglaid, and the pure soul of the virgin was troubled by the war the devil raised against her; but strengthening herself with the sign of the Holy Cross and the power of prayer, she conquered the fiery darts launched against her. Hearing of this, you were bitterly grieved, but we sing to you:

• Rejoice, Cyprian, for this grief was shown fruitful for joy;
• Rejoice, for the purity of the blameless virgin was preserved;
• Rejoice, for the sting of Satan was broken by the Venerable Cross;
• Rejoice, for even today your prayer brings victory against the devil;
• Rejoice, for Justina’s faith stands before us as an example;
• Rejoice, for it also became a help to you yourself, O Saint;
• Rejoice, for thus you knew the deception of idolatrous sorceries;
• Rejoice, for now, with your prayers, you conquer all the power of the evil one;
• Rejoice, for we call upon you, saints Cyprian and Justina, for help;
• Rejoice, for you have become conquerors over all the erring;
• Rejoice, for through you the vanity of pagan beliefs was shown;
• Rejoice, for even today you expose charms and incantations as foul sorceries;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 6

Seeing the craft of your sorceries conquered by the power of the Cross, you renewed your attacks against the virgin Justina, for thus the Lord willed that the great weakness and deception of the devil’s plots be revealed, and the power of the Name of Christ be shown, so that seeing the wonder, we all might praise Him, singing: Alleluia!

Oikos 6

Humbling her body with fasting and prayer, clothing herself in a rough garment, Justina conquered the attacks which the devil had more fiercely launched against her. But he, plotting craftily as once to deceive Eve, coming in the form of a woman, with deceptive words tried to tempt her as if wishing to follow her life and purity. But Justina, understanding this form of enticement, conquered his plots; wherefore we say:

• Rejoice, Cyprian, for by persisting in persecuting the virgin you revealed the power of prayer;
• Rejoice, for the virgin was not deceived by the spirit of delusion;
• Rejoice, for through your persistence in persecution, like Paul of old, you were shown steadfast;
• Rejoice, for the loving-kind Lord endured your persistence in evil;
• Rejoice, for the Lord knew beforehand that you would be steadfast also in faith;
• Rejoice, for like Paul you showed that you did evil only out of ignorance;
• Rejoice, for through the pure virgin Christ enlightened you;
• Rejoice, for through her you found the Way, the Truth, and the Life;
• Rejoice, for you enlighten even those in the darkness of error;
• Rejoice, for now you delight in heavenly light;
• Rejoice, and turn us from every error;
• Rejoice, we sing to you, seeking salvation through you;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 7

Finding that through that crafty plot the devil had accomplished nothing against Justina’s purity, you wished to learn by what power she conquered him, crushing all their arts, and it was confirmed to you that the devil cannot even look upon the sign of the Cross, for it is a fire burning him and driving him far away; thus you began, O Cyprian, to understand the power with which all worshippers of the Cross arm themselves when they offer the song of praise: Alleluia!

Oikos 7

Grieved you were at first, O Saint, when you saw that the power of the devilish sorceries, which you believed unconquered from your childhood, was conquered by a weak virgin by nature; but then your mind, desiring perfect knowledge, began to be enlightened through the knowledge of the Truth; rejoicing in this, we sing to you:

• Rejoice, vessel receiving the true light;
• Rejoice, for you came to the knowledge of truth through a Christian virgin;
• Rejoice, you who from childhood desired true knowledge;
• Rejoice, for today the demons tremble with fear of you;
• Rejoice, for you have broken the power with which they once subdued you;
• Rejoice, for the world is guarded from devilish plots;
• Rejoice, for through this our faith is strengthened;
• Rejoice, ship that faced the terrible sea;
• Rejoice, for the light of Christ was shown to you as a beacon in the storm;
• Rejoice, for you bring even us sinners to a calm haven;
• Rejoice, for you have succeeded in snatching many from the abyss of passions;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 8

Wishing to deceive you with his plots, the devil devised another even more cunning delusion to confuse you all. Thus he pretended, taking the form of Justina and entered to Aglaid; he, thinking the apparition was real, called her by name, but O wonder: at the mere hearing of the virgin’s name the apparition vanished. And we, being terrified, sing to God Who gave such power to men well-pleasing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 8

With terrible fear Aglaid ran to you, Cyprian, telling you what had happened; and you, ashamed, since the vanity and deception of your sorceries was seen, attempted countless other forms of likeness so that you could make Aglaid or yourself able to approach the house of Justina. But, being of impure mind, you accomplished nothing, for the Heavenly Bridegroom Himself guarded the purity of the most wise virgin; wherefore we sing with compunction:

• Rejoice, for you did not at all deceive the pure virgin;
• Rejoice, for through the steadfast Justina many mysteries were revealed;
• Rejoice, for first the devil’s power was proven powerless;
• Rejoice, for the unconquered power of Christ and His Cross was shown;
• Rejoice, for you learned how God strengthens His Saints in a wonderful way;
• Rejoice, for even today you banish deceitful beliefs from the world;
• Rejoice, and arm us through faith against the evil one;
• Rejoice, and grant us victory against the devil, we who call upon your name;
• Rejoice, and together with the pure virgin deliver us from unexpected temptations;
• Rejoice, and shatter the snares of Belial and make them known to us;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 9

Accomplishing nothing against the unshaken faith and purity of Justina through the attempt to cast her into the abyss of love of bodily pleasures, you sought to subdue her through the temptations of pain, launching upon her, as once upon Job, a multitude of misfortunes; but she, praying unceasingly, said like David: I shall not die, but live, and I shall recount the works of the Lord. And for all things she glorified God, singing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 9

But not only upon her, but also upon her relatives and the whole city, releasing the curse, you brought harm, O Cyprian, out of unbridled anger and the great shame done to you, so that many citizens went to Justina, wishing to force her no longer to oppose Aglaid, in order to deliver the city from the multitude of your sorceries; but she, not by unclean union, but by pure and fervent prayers, delivered all from every evil, mocking the sorcerous arts; therefore with all, seeing the wonder, we praise God and sing to you:

• Rejoice, for neither evil enticements persuaded her to evil;
• Rejoice, for Justina proved a vessel submitted to the service of Christ;
• Rejoice, for many of those came to know Christ through her wondrous healing;
• Rejoice, for the whole city received deliverance through her;
• Rejoice, for many came to the faith then;
• Rejoice, for you yourself were shaken in your entire being;
• Rejoice, for a second time you were mightily shaken;
• Rejoice, for your trust in the power of your sorceries was shattered;
• Rejoice, for thus God was pleased through the wondrous virgin to work your salvation;
• Rejoice, for you teach us to endure long when we are tempted;
• Rejoice, for you strengthen us to remain steadfast and unshaken in faith;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 10

Being ashamed, Cyprian, of the defeat you suffered through a young virgin, you who were greatly learned and very skilled in sorcerous matters, and being informed that all crafty arts were conquered by the power of the Cross and the name of Christ, you came to your senses and to the knowledge of the Truth, and began to revile the demons, glorifying God and singing to Him: Alleluia!

Oikos 10

Seeing that you had awakened from the sleep and darkness of ignorance, and with holy anger you now reviled also yourself, the servant of idolatrous worship and of devilish sorcerous arts, the devil set out with great power to destroy you, attempting to kill you; and having no help from anyone to deliver you, you remembered the sign of the Cross, with which Justina opposed, and calling upon the name of Christ you conquered the devil’s power; at this most wonderful thing, being struck with awe, we sing to you:

• Rejoice, Cyprian, for through the virgin Justina you came to the invocation of the Name of Christ;
• Rejoice, for in His Name you crushed the devil who had set out more fiercely against you;
• Rejoice, for you found the true Light;
• Rejoice, together with the pure virgin;
• Rejoice, for you could not incline her to foul union;
• Rejoice, for in the Light of Christ, now you dwell together with her;
• Rejoice, and strengthen us also in the invocation of the Name of Christ;
• Rejoice, for You have shown Him to us to be a most luminous gift;
• Rejoice, for through you the triumphant Church also increased;
• Rejoice, for Justina, pure as a flower, gained you for the faith;
• Rejoice, and teach us also to preserve purity;
• Rejoice, and deliver from distress those who love virginity;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 11

Burning all your sorcerous books before the faithful, you ran to the Christian Bishop, asking him to unite you through Baptism with the God of Justina, and having a contrite heart and with much weeping for all the evils you had done in your life until then, you were received into the flock of Christ; for the Bishop knew your good zeal. And just as you were once swift to evil, you then proved a fervent zealot and worthy servant of the true God, ceaselessly offering to Him the song: Alleluia!

Oikos 11

With great eagerness you ran on the narrow and difficult path, after you learned that Christ is the true way, desiring to redeem the time spent in foul idolatrous service and always weeping for your former evil deeds. Therefore you went from strength to strength and from goodness to goodness, so that soon you were deemed worthy not only to receive Baptism, but you advanced step by step to the honor of Bishop, shepherding with zeal the flock of Christ. And the virgin Justina you made a deaconess and abbess in a convent of virgins. Seeing this honorable elevation with joy, we sing to you:

• Rejoice, Cyprian, for thus God rewards a pure heart;
• Rejoice, for God knew your zeal for true knowledge;
• Rejoice, for thus God has mercy on those who endure long temptations;
• Rejoice, for thus you were shown a most holy Hierarch;
• Rejoice, for you also raised Justina to be a worthy deaconess of Christ’s service;
• Rejoice, for you made her an abbess and guide also of other virgins;
• Rejoice, for you shepherded the flock of Christ with much zeal and effort;
• Rejoice, for we also run to you, as to a true shepherd, with great desire;
• Rejoice, and guide us on the path of salvation;
• Rejoice, and be near us always in the hour of temptation;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 12

Through your zeal and that of the pure virgins guided by the wise Justina, idolatrous service was emptied, and the glory of Christ increased. Seeing this life of yours and your diligence for the service of Christ and for the comfort of human souls, the devil gnashed his teeth against you, wishing by any means to destroy you. But the destroyer did not know that an even greater and imperishable glory was being prepared for you and a dwelling with the ranks of the Saints; so that together with them you might unceasingly sing to God the song: Alleluia!

Oikos 12

Not knowing how to destroy you, for he feared the power of the Cross, the destroyer incited the pagans to slander you before the governor, that you had abandoned pagan worship and idolatrous service, coming to the Christian worship of Christ, and that you turned many away from foul service to idols, increasing the flock of Christ. Hearing this, the governor, and being unable to hinder you with crafty words, gave you up to terrible torture together with the virgin Justina. But you, enduring all things and not bowing to idolatrous worship, the governor commanded that you be killed by beheading with the sword. And together with you, the devout Christian Theoctistus was deemed worthy of the martyr’s crown, who, seeing your innocent death, also confessed Christ. Therefore we bring such praises to you:

• Rejoice, for you were deemed worthy to be an unconquered shepherd of the flock of Christ;
• Rejoice, for Justina the virgin, struggling alongside you, was sanctified;
• Rejoice, for you were not deceived by the crafty governor;
• Rejoice, for you showed yourselves unshaken confessors of Christ;
• Rejoice, for thus you were deemed worthy of the martyr’s crown;
• Rejoice, for now through your holy relics many healings are granted;
• Rejoice, for rivers of gifts pour forth to those who honor you;
• Rejoice, for we also strive towards you with great faith;
• Rejoice, for through your holy relics we hope for help and salvation;
• Rejoice, and pray for us together with Saint Justina and Saint Theoctistus;
• Rejoice, and receive from us this humble akathist as a sacrifice of praise;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

Kontakion 13

O most holy Cyprian, honorable Hierarch of God, most mighty athlete, together with the holy martyr Justina and the holy martyr Theoctistus, pray to Christ God for those who ever honor you and with songs magnify your holy memory, and through your prayers, appease the Master Christ, interceding for all for forgiveness of transgressions and deliverance from all snares and temptations of the devil, that being saved we may sing together with you, unto endless ages, the angelic song: Alleluia! (this kontakion is said three times)

Then again is said the first Oikos

Wonderful was your life shown to be, O Saint, for from childhood you were devoted to idolatrous service, but the Lord, knowing your zeal for true knowledge, revealed to you through a pure virgin Christ, the only Truth; marveling at this mystery and divine providence, with faith we sing to you:

• Rejoice, you who have broken the idolatrous service;
• Rejoice, for you have shown the devil’s deception;
• Rejoice, for you were zealous for the knowledge of truth;
• Rejoice, you who even in pagan knowledge showed yourself skilled;
• Rejoice, you who knew devilish arts and sorceries;
• Rejoice, for all these you later held in contempt;
• Rejoice, for you can deliver us from the devil’s temptation;
• Rejoice, for you free us from heretical errors;
• Rejoice, for you show us the path to truth;
• Rejoice, for your prayers deliver us from all evil;
• Rejoice, helper of those in distress;
• Rejoice, for you impart your light to all;
• Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

And the first Kontakion

You who were formerly a teacher of wickedness, and were shown to be a Hierarch through the honorable virgin Justina, and as a wise shepherd, from the thorns of deception you blossomed as a most beautiful flower, and us faithful you have filled with the fragrances of healings and with the rays of your wonders, strengthen us to sing to you: Rejoice, holy martyr Cyprian, ever-glorious!

After this is said this:

PRAYER which is said only by PRIESTS:

Master Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Creator and Governor of all, Holy and glorious are You; King of kings and Lord of lords, glory to You. You who dwell in the unapproachable and inaccessible light, for the prayer of me, the humble and unworthy servant of Yours, drive away the demons and extinguish their wickedness from Your servants; send down timely rain upon all the earth and make it yield its fruits; let the trees and vines yield their full fruit; let women be released and freed from the barrenness of the womb; these and all the world first being released, release also all creation from all devilish bonds. And release Your servant (name) together with all his household from all bonds of Satan, of magic, of charms, and of opposing powers. Do You, Lord God of our fathers, hinder all the work of Satan, You who grant release from magic, from charms, from sorceries and from all satanic works and from all his bonds, and destroy all wicked work through the remembrance of Your most holy name. Yes, Lord, Master of all, hear me, Your unworthy servant, and release Your servant (name) from all bonds of Satan, and if he is bound in heaven, or on earth, or with skin of irrational animals, or with iron, or with stone, or with wood, or with writing, or with human blood, or with that of birds, or of fish, or through uncleanness, or in another way it has come upon him, or if it came from elsewhere, from the sea, from wells, from tombs, or from any other place, or if it came through human nails, or animal nails, or bird claws, or through serpents (living or dead), or through the earth of the dead, or if it came through the piercing of needles, release them forever, in this hour, O Lord, with Your great power. You, O Lord our God, Who know and understand all things, release, shatter, and destroy, now, the works of magic, and protect Your servant (name) with all his household from all devilish plots. Crush with the sign of the precious and life-giving Cross all the powers of adversaries. Lay waste, destroy, and drive away forever all works of magic, sorcery, and enchantment from Your servant (name). Yes, Lord, hear me, Your sinful servant, and Your servant with all his household, and release them from the noonday demon, from all sickness and every curse, from all wrath, misfortune, slander, envy, charms, unmercifulness, sloth, greed, weakness, folly, ignorance, pride, cruelty, injustice, arrogance, and from all errors and sins, known and unknown, for the sake of Your holy name, for You are blessed forever. Amen.