St. Cyprian & St. Justina the Holy Martyrs
(Commemorated October 2)

(From childhood into sorcery)

In the reign of Emperor Decius (249-251 A.D.) there lived in Antioch (of Pisidia) a certain philosopher and renowned sorcerer whose name was Cyprian, a native of Carthage.

Springing from impious parents, in his very childhood he was dedicated by them to the service of the pagan god Apollo.

At the age of 7, he was given over to magicians for the study of sorcery and demonic wisdom.

At the age of 10, he was sent by his parents as a preparation for a sorcerer's career, to Mount Olympus, which the pagans called the dwelling of the gods. Here there were a numerous multitude of idols, in which demons dwelled.


On this mountain Cyprian studied all manner of diabolical arts: he mastered various demonic transformations, learned how to change the nature of the air, to bring up winds, produce thunder and rain, disturb the waves of the sea, cause damage to gardens, vineyards and fields, to send diseases and plagues upon people;

and in general he learned a ruinous wisdom and diabolical activity filled with evil. In this place he saw a numberless legion of demons, with the prince of darkness at their head;

some stood before him, others served him, still others cried out in praise of their prince, and some were sent into the world in order to corrupt people.

Here he likewise saw in their false forms the pagan gods and goddesses (demons), and also diverse phantoms and spectres, the invocation of which he learned in a strict forty-day fast.

He ate only after the setting of the sun, and not bread or anything else, but only acorns from oak trees.


When he was 15 years old, he began to receive lessons from seven great sorcerers; from them he learned many demonic secrets.

Then he went to the city of Argos, where, having served the goddess Juno for a time, he learned many practices of deception from her priests.

He lived also in Taurapolis (on the island of Icara) in the service of the goddess Diana; and from there he went to Sparta, where he learned how to call forth the dead from the graves and to force them to speak by means of various incantations and spells.

At the age of 20, Cyprian came to Egypt, and in the city of Memphis he learned yet greater charms and incantations.

In his 30th year, he went to the Chaldeans (in Babylon), and having learned astrology there, he finished his studies.

After this he returned to Antioch, being perfect in all evil-doing. Thus he became a sorcerer, magician, and destroyer of souls, a great friend and faithful slave of the prince of hell, with whom he conversed face to face, being vouchsafed (granted special favours) to receive from him great honour, as he himself testified.


‘Believe me,’ he said; ‘I have seen the prince of darkness (Satan) himself, for I propitiated (gained favour from) him by sacrifices. I greeted him and spoke with him and his ancients; he liked me, praised my understanding, and before everyone said: Here is a new Jambres, always ready for obedience and worthy of communion with us!'

And he promised to make me a prince after my departure from the body, and for the course of earthly life to help me in everything.

And he gave me a legion of demons to serve me. When I departed from him, he addressed me with these words: 'Take courage, fervent Cyprian; arise and accompany me; let all the demonic ancients marvel at you.'

‘Consequently, all of his princes also were attentive to me, seeing the honour shown to me.


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