Saint Cyprian lived in the 3rd century AD and came from a wealthy family of Carthage. As a pagan he was a famous magician of his time and according to some biographers he communicated with Satan.
Saint Justine came from Antioch and was originally a pagan. But when she heard about Christ from a deacon, she believed in Him and was baptized a Christian. A young man, named Aglaidas, fell madly in love with her, but she rejected him, because she wanted to dedicate her life to Jesus Christ. Aglaidas then turned to Cyprian, in order to make Justine his own by the power of evil spirits. As soon as Cyprian realized that his magic was powerless in front of the Saint, he burned the pagan books and was baptized a Christian.
Later the people elected him Bishop of Carthage. From the position of Bishop, he showed apostolic zeal and ordained Justina deaconess and abbess.
When persecutions against Christians were started by King Decius, the Saints were brought before him and confessed their faith in Christ, with the result that they were subjected to horrible tortures and eventually put to death by beheading.
According to religious tradition, Cyprian and Justine are the Saints prayed to by believers who believe they have been “struck” by witchcraft.
Part of the casket of Saint Cyprian is kept in the eponymous Church of Menikos in Nicosia. The Kara of Saint Justine is located in the Monastery of Panachrantou in Andros.
The Church celebrates their memory on October 2 each year.
