to the knowledge of God, and wast Manifested to the world as a MOST wise physician, Granting healing to Those who honor thee, O Cyprian together with Justina. With her, then, entreat the Master, the Lover of mankind, that I may save our souls."
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I've been wanting to do this for a long time but was unsure of if I should or not because this Saint is shrouded in much mystery and hard to find decent resources about him. However, after much thought and working with him, Docteur Cæli D'Anto and myself have decided to open a blog in his name. So without further adieu we give to you, St. Cyprian of Antioch !
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St. Cyprian was born in Carthage sometime in the 3rd Century AD, to Pagan parents but later resided in Antioch, a small city situated between Syria and Arabia. St. Cyprian was known to be a magician/sorcerer who had dealings with demons before his conversion to Christianity. He was known to commit secret murders for blood sacrifices to the Devil and blaspheme Christ.
One day he was approached by a man by the name of Aglaias to help him win over a woman named Justina (who later became St. Justina). Justina lived her life in chastity and virginity. Aglaias wanted Justina so bad and after being denied by her, he decided to attack her on night and forcefully drag her to his house. His neighbors seen this happen and saved her from him. So, in shame, he went to Cyprian to request his help to make Justina his wife through his magic and black arts. Cyprian promised Aglais that this was a task he could perform with great success.
Cyprian then invoked a demon to capture the heart of Justina and make her sin against the flesh. The demon spoke: "This deed is not difficult for me, because many times I have shaken cities, crumbled walls, destroyed houses, caused the shedding of blood and patricide, instilled hatred and great anger between brothers and spouses, and have brought to sin many who have given a vow of virginity. In monks who have settled in mountains and were accustomed to strict fasting and have never even thought about the flesh, I have instilled adulterous lust and instructed them to serve fleshly passions; people who have repented and turned away from sin, I have converted back to evil deeds; many chaste people I have thrown into fornication. Will I really be unable to incline this maiden to the love of Aglaias? Indeed, why do I speak? I will swiftly show my powers in very deed. Take this powder and give it to this youth; let him sprinkle the house of Justina with it, and you will see that what I have said will come to pass."
So Cyprian gave this powder to Aglaias and told him what to do. Aglaias did what he was told and the demon then enter Justinas house and made her to feel desires of the flesh. Having felt these desires, Justina began to pray fervently to God to keep her from these wicked demons that brought on these sinful desires. Then she made the sign of the cross and the demon disappeared to return to Cyprian. Two more demons were sent to Justina after this and even they returned to Cyprian to tell him that they could not touch her because they could not stand in the midst of the sign of the cross. Shortly after hearing this and becoming agitated he tempted the Devil and mocked him, the Devil leaped at Cyprian and strangled him, Cyprian made the sign of the cross and the Devil retreated so Cyprian changed his ways and was converted to the Catholic faith. Soon after he was baptized and became a Bishop and dedicated his life to God. Every day he wept for his evil deeds until he was martyred alongside Justina on the same day.
He traveled through Athens, Mount Olympus, Argos, Phrygia, Egypt, and Chaldea throughout his life gaining Esoteric and Occult knowledge and eventually compiled his own Grimoire called The Great Book of Saint Cyprian
Feast Day: September 14th or the 26th
Patron Saint of: Magicians, Divination and Necromancers.
Color associated with him is Purple
He is associated with the number 9 or 7 due to how often he used it in his own workings and writings.
Herbs and Spices that he likes are High John the Conqueror, Allspice, Aloe, Basil, Copal, Rue, Hyssop, Nutmeg and Ginger.
