The legend of Saint Cyprian of Antioch

According to Catholic Church sources, there are two men named Saint Cyprian, both of whom were bishops, and both of whom suffered martyrdom under Roman persecution. Saint Cyprian of Carthage is generally endorsed by the Church as an authentic historical figure, but Saint Cyprian of Antioch dwells in a shadowy, occult world of lore and legend, for he is said to have been a renowned pagan conjurer, sorcerer, and magician who had dealings with demons and the devil.

Desiring a sexual relationship with a virtuous young Christian woman named Justina, he called up demons to attack her, but she repelled them by making the sign of the cross. Seeing this, Cyprian too made the sign of the cross, and was instantly freed from bondage to Satan and converted to Christianity. He was baptized, became a deacon, then a priest, and finally a bishop, while Justina, now his friend, became the leader of a convent of nuns. Both Cyprian and Justina were persecuted by the Roman emperor Diocletian, who had them tortured in Damascus and finally beheaded in Nicomedia (Turkey) on the banks of the river Gallus.

However, the story does not end there, for in his days as an occultist and sorcerer, Cyprian had written a powerful book of magic spells, which he failed to destroy upon his conversion, and which has appeared in many editions (and in various languages) for hundreds of years.  Saint Cyprian has the unusual reputation of being the patron saint of witches, conjurers, root doctors, magicians, sorcerers, occultists, demonologers, necromancers, spiritualists, and spiritual workers, both good and evil. In recent times, he has sometimes been called upon for protection by those working with the folk saint Santisima Muerte, on the theory that anyone who invokes the aid of such a wild and unpredictable spirit may need extra help from the ghost of an experienced sorcerer.

Saint Cyprian is generally portrayed as a middle-aged bearded man in the garb of a bishop, holding a crozier and carrying a book.

Saint Cyprian and Justina