Ss. Cyprian and Justina (26 September): Butler's Lives of the Saints

About this sermon

Discover the extraordinary story of Saints Cyprian and Justina, martyrs commemorated on September 26, in this reading from Butler’s Lives of the Saints by Father Alban Butler. Cyprian, known as “the Magician,” was raised by idolatrous parents and initiated from childhood into pagan superstition, astrology and occult practices. Seeking greater knowledge of these dark arts, he traveled throughout the ancient world and became deeply enslaved to error and sin. In Antioch lived a beautiful young Christian woman named Justina. Although born to pagan parents, she embraced Christianity and helped bring her father and mother to the faith. When a pagan nobleman became infatuated with her, he turned to Cyprian’s magic after she refused his advances. Cyprian attempted to overcome Justina’s resistance through demonic spells. She defended herself through vigilance, fasting, tears and prayer. By making the sign of the Holy Cross and calling upon God, she drove away every demonic assault. Confronted by a power greater than anything he had known, Cyprian recognized the weakness of the demons and resolved to abandon their service. The devil then attacked him with despair over his former crimes, but God led him to a holy priest named Eusebius, who encouraged him to trust in divine mercy. Cyprian attended an assembly of Christians and was profoundly moved by their reverence and heavenly worship. To prove the sincerity of his conversion, he publicly burned his books of magic, distributed his possessions to the poor and entered the ranks of the catechumens. After receiving Baptism, Cyprian embraced a life of remarkable humility, prayer and service. He reportedly pleaded to be allowed to sweep the church and later served as its doorkeeper. In time, he was ordained a priest and eventually raised to the episcopate. Justina dedicated her virginity entirely to God, cut off her hair and distributed her jewels and possessions among the poor. During the persecution of Emperor Diocletian, Cyprian and Justina were arrested. Justina was cruelly scourged, while Cyprian was torn with iron hooks. They were sent in chains to Nicomedia, where Diocletian ordered their execution. They were beheaded together with a Christian named Theoctistus, who courageously spoke to Cyprian on the way to his martyrdom. Their lives reveal both the destructive power of sin and the infinitely greater power of divine grace. No past is beyond God’s mercy, and no demonic power can prevail against faith, prayer and the Cross of Jesus Christ. 00:00 Butler’s Lives of the Saints 00:08 Saints Cyprian and Justina 00:17 Cyprian the Magician 00:32 Dedicated to pagan superstition 00:47 His search for occult knowledge 01:04 Cyprian’s descent into grave sin 01:29 Justina embraces Christianity 01:45 A nobleman seeks Cyprian’s assistance 02:01 Justina defends herself through prayer 02:09 The sign of the Cross defeats the demons 02:24 Fasting, tears and prayer 02:33 Cyprian recognizes a greater power 02:47 The devil attacks him with despair 03:02 Cyprian seeks help from Eusebius 03:27 Attending the Christian assembly 03:50 A vision of heavenly worship 04:11 The Christians react to Cyprian 04:25 He burns his books of magic 04:34 Cyprian receives Baptism 04:42 Justina consecrates herself to God 04:59 Cyprian’s astonishing transformation 05:21 Sweeper and doorkeeper of the church 05:28 Ordained priest and elevated as bishop 05:43 The persecution of Diocletian 05:51 Justina is arrested 06:00 Cyprian and Justina are tortured 06:08 Sent in chains to Nicomedia 06:15 Condemned to death 06:24 The martyrdom of Theoctistus 06:33 Their relics are taken to Rome 06:50 Sin, conversion and the power of grace 08:32 Faith restores the human soul https://sensusfidelium.com/the-lives-of-the-fathers-martyrs-and-other-principal-saints/september/ss-cyprian-and-justina/ Get Butler's Lives of the Saints here: https://loretopublications.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=102&url=1 #SaintCyprian #SaintJustina #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicSaints #DailySaints #ChristianMartyrs #FeastDay #CatholicFaith #ConversionStory #GraceAndMercy 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴�