The Akathist to Martyr Cyprian and Martyr Justine is a prayer read in memory of these two saints who gave their lives for their faith. Cyprian was a bishop of the city of Carthage, and Justine was a philosopher who became a Christian and later was martyred for his beliefs. Reading this akathist helps us remember their bravery and faith, and also to ask for their protection and defense against all evil forces.
Troparion, Tone 4
As a partaker of the divine nature, and as a successor to the apostles, you received the deeds of the divine, O all-honorable one, and ascending to the visions, you were enlightened. Therefore, correcting the word of truth, and suffering for the sake of faith even to the shedding of blood, holy martyr Cyprian, pray to Christ our God to save our souls.
Kondakion, Tone 1
Having turned away from the wondrous art of the idols, you, O wise one, turned to the knowledge of the divine, and you appeared to the world as the most wise physician, granting healing to those who honor you, O Cyprian with Justina, pray to the Lord who loves mankind to save our souls.
Kondakion 1
You, O holy martyrs Cyprian and Justina, are chosen wonderworkers and speedy intercessors, having great boldness before the Lord and standing before His throne, intercede for us from all evils and make us heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, and we, who sing your praise, pray:
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justina, speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Ikos 1
The angelic powers were amazed at you, O Cyprian and Justina, how you, having turned away from the lifeless idols and believing in the living God, have obtained the knowledge of the divine truth. We, marveling at this, cry out to you:
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justina, for the angels were amazed at your steadfastness in faith in Christ.
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justina, for you have made the bridal chamber of the Lamb holy.
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justina, for you suffered courageously for Christ.
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justina, for you received the incorrupt crowns for your confession.
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justina, for you now stand before the throne of God in heaven.
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justina, for you pray to the Lord to save our souls.
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justina, speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Kondakion 2
Having seen the vanity of idolatry, you, O Cyprian, turned away from the wondrous art and turned to the knowledge of the divine, saving your soul from eternal destruction. Now, standing before the throne of God in heavenly glory, pray to the Lord who loves mankind to save our souls, who sing to Him:
All-hail.
Ikos 2
Guided by the intellect of true divine knowledge from above, you rejected sorcery and enchantment, O Cyprian, and extinguished your passions through tears of repentance. Having learned that the name of Christ and the Cross of the Living One cause demons to tremble and the wiles of the enemy to be destroyed, you hastened to serve the Lord in His temple. Therefore, we extol your zeal, saying:
Rejoice, O man of courage, who has boldly rejected demonic cunning.
Rejoice, O one who has rent asunder the noxious snares of the enemy.
Rejoice, O one who has fearlessly exposed the deceit of the deceiver.
Rejoice, O one who has boldly rebuked the wily serpent before all.
Rejoice, for by you demons are repelled.
Rejoice, for by you bodily and spiritual diseases are healed.
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justine, speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Kondak 3
Having been strengthened by the power of the Most High, you received the saving seeds of faith in your heart, O Justine: for, having listened to the preaching of the deacon Proclus about the Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Most Holy Virgin Mary, who suffered, was buried, and destroyed death by death, you have cultivated a good fruit in your soul, uprooting the thorns of unbelief and crying out to God:
Alleluia
Ikos 3
Having been enlightened by the intellect of God, O holy Justine, you understood that only in the Church of Christ can you find the salvation of your soul, in which, listening to the word of God, you were established in faith in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Rejoicing in this divine benevolence towards you, we sing to you thus:
Rejoice, O star, that has shone forth in the darkness of pagan unbelief.
Rejoice, O one who has been enlightened by the light of pious faith.
Rejoice, O one whose soul has been filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, O one who has betrothed your virginity to the Heavenly Bridegroom.
Rejoice, O beautiful bride of the Sweetest Jesus.
Rejoice, O one who has been called to great glory in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Rejoice, O Cyprian and Justine, speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Kondak 4
Having fled from the storms of sin, you came to Christ and offered yourself to our Savior as a fragrant sacrifice, O wise Cyprian, for you had firmly resolved in your heart to cleanse your soul with the holy Cross, to be a faithful follower of the Lord, and to sing His praises throughout your life:
Alleluia
Ikos 4
Upon hearing your renunciation of service to the enemy of the human race and beholding your good intention towards Christ, you were enveloped by the Holy Spirit and became a perfect Christian. Bishop Anfim consecrated you, Cypriane, and appointed you as a reader in the Divine Service. We, who have been humbled by your conversion to Christ, sing to you thus:
Rejoice, for you have loved the Lord with all your soul.
Rejoice, for you have desired to be a true Christian.
Rejoice, holy Chrysm, poured forth with reverence.
Rejoice, for you have become a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, for you have been anointed by the Lord above.
Rejoice, for you have been instructed by the bishop in the faith of Christ.
Rejoice, Cypriane and Justine, our speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Condk 5
You have hastened along the divine path and have reached the tranquil haven, holy martyr Justine. For you have enlightened your parents, Edeesia and Cleodonia, with the light of divine truth, and you have received the holy Baptism from Bishop Ontas, that you may be pleasing to Christ and be able to pray to Him unimpeded:
Alleluia
Ikos 5
Seeing the great virtue of your father, Edeesia, the holy bishop has appointed him as a presbyter, that he may lead others to Christ through his virtuous life. You, blessed Justine, have surpassed all in loving Christ above all else and have struggled well in keeping His commandments. We therefore praise you with these titles:
Rejoice, for you have shone with inner beauty.
Rejoice, for you have offered your virginity as a gift to God.
Rejoice, for you have been a wise herald of the Gospel.
Rejoice, for you have been a zealous preacher of the Lord’s commandments.
Rejoice, for you have been trained in the virtues of the ascetic life through fasting and prayer.
Rejoice, for you have been a spotless dove, filled with gentleness and meekness.
Rejoice, Cypriane and Justine, our speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Condk 6
You have appeared as a preacher of Christ’s truth, holy martyr Cypriane. Therefore, the Lord, who desires to save all, has given you to us as a wonderful intercessor, healer, and protector from the spirits of wickedness that are in the air: for you have led many to repentance through your words and deeds, and have taught all to pray to God:
Alleluia
Ikos 6
You have shone as a radiant light, illuminating all who were in the darkness of unbelief, holy bishop Cypriane. For your prayer has the power to overcome all the wickedness of demons and evil men, and they are unable to stand against it. However, through the power of God, they are restrained and pursued. Therefore, we cry out thus:
Rejoice, deliverer from the snares of the enemy.
Rejoice, destroyer of evil demons.
Rejoice, protector from visible and invisible enemies.
Rejoice, giver of unexpected help to the forsaken.
Rejoice, savior from troubles and afflictions.
Rejoice, transformer of suffering into joy.
Rejoice, Cypriane and Justine, our speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Condak 7
Although you have been shown by the wise evangelical virgins to have fulfilled the good deeds with oil, O glorious martyr Justin, and, having kindled the lamp of your soul, you have illuminated people with the teaching of Christ, so that they may know the Lord Jesus, they sing to you:
All you peoples, exult.
Icos 7
The All-Powerful Lord has shown you a new mercy: by His divine grace, He has exalted you, O glorious Justin, to the heights of the spiritual assembly, as you have been able to heal the weak from bodily and spiritual diseases, and to liberate those who are struggling from the snares of the wicked. Therefore, we cry to you:
Rejoice, heavenly one, who has loved the Lord above the earthly.
Rejoice, who has given yourself entirely to God.
Rejoice, who burns with seraphic love for Him.
Rejoice, who has taught us all to love Him with all our soul.
Rejoice, who has established the Orthodox in the faith.
Rejoice, who has adorned the choir of virgins.
Rejoice, Kiprian and Justin, our speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Condak 8
It was strange for the impious hegumen to see you, O holy martyr Kiprian, when he handed you over to unjust judgment: for you, like an unshakeable warrior of the Heavenly King, confessed Christ with courage, singing in your sufferings:
All you peoples, exult.
Icos 8
You have given yourself entirely to God, O holy martyr Kiprian: for you did not fear the cruel torments and the very sufferings themselves, but, shining with a radiant face, illuminated by the divine grace, you stood before the wicked judge, and all the faithful sing to you:
Rejoice, unshakeable confessor of Christ’s words.
Rejoice, defender of the holy faith.
Rejoice, conqueror of the spirits of wickedness by the power of God.
Rejoice, who has been set aflame with the fire of prayer.
Rejoice, who has not been accused of any evil in your martyrdom.
Rejoice, who has glorified God in your sufferings.
Rejoice, Kiprian and Justin, our speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Condak 9
Do not reject our every good prayer, O holy martyr Justin, which comes to you with faith, for by the grace given to you by God, you have the power to expel unclean spirits, which assail man, and to bring healing to the sick, crying to God:
All you peoples, exult.
Ikos 9
Thy labors, O righteous Justin, are beyond the power of the multitudes to recount, for thou hast loved God with all thy soul and all thy breath, and hast directed all thy endeavors and desires towards the fulfillment of His holy will. For this reason, thou dost not abandon us, who are weighed down by afflictions and sorrows, but intercedest for us before the Lord, that He may grant us healing and consolation. Therefore, we hymn thee thus:
Rejoice, thou who dost quickly fulfill our righteous petitions.
Rejoice, thou who dost visit the afflicted with compassion.
Rejoice, thou who art a warm refuge in our prayers.
Rejoice, thou who art a balm to those who are wounded.
Rejoice, thou who art a good guide to those who are seeking salvation.
Rejoice, thou who art a helper in times of tribulation.
Rejoice, O Cyriacus and Justin, ye who are speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Kondak 10
O Lord, Savior of all, who hast established salvation for all, after the completion of thy confessors’ struggle, thou hast crowned Saint Cyriacus with a martyr’s crown, for he boldly confessed before the tormentors the God of truth, who is worshipped in the Holy Trinity. He bowed his head fearlessly under the sword, singing:
All hail.
Ikos 10
Thou art a wall and a shield, O God-fearing Cyriacus, to all who hasten to thee with fervent zeal and those who warm their hearts with fervent prayer before thy icon. The All-beneficent Lord hath granted us to thee as a helper and a remedy for bodily and spiritual diseases. Therefore, we cry out to thee thus:
Rejoice, for thou dost ascend thy prayers to the Lord on behalf of all.
Rejoice, for thou dost intercede for us before the Lord’s throne.
Rejoice, for thou dost enlighten the righteous with the light of knowledge.
Rejoice, for thou dost guide those who have gone astray back onto the right path.
Rejoice, for thou dost quickly grant healing remedies to those who ask thee.
Rejoice, for thou dost reward those who love and honor thee with fervent love.
Rejoice, O Cyriacus and Justin, ye who are speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Kondak 11
Thou didst ascend thy confessors’ struggle with hymns of praise to the Lord, O righteous Justin, when thou didst endure severe torments for Him with courage. Having completed thy confessors’ struggle, thou didst joyfully bow thy head to the sword, singing to God:
All hail.
Ikos 11
Thou dost shine like a radiant lamp on the altar of the church, O righteous Justin, driving away visible and invisible enemies with the light of thy blessings. We, with warm hearts and fervent love, hasten to thee, hymning thy martyrdom, and cry out thus:
Rejoice, thou who didst boldly preach the God of truth.
Rejoice, thou who didst overcome all things through the Lord who strengthened thee.
Rejoice, thou who didst bear the wounds of the Lord Jesus on thy body.
Rejoice, thou who didst conquer thy tormentors through thy patience.
Rejoice, thou who didst crown thy martyrdom with a bloody end.
Rejoice, thou who didst glorify the Lord through thy sufferings and miracles.
Rejoice, O Cyriacus and Justin, ye who are speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Condak 12
Grace is given to you from God, holy Cyprian and Justine, patrons of strength and all demonic presence: you have endured great sufferings, and by your martyr’s death, you have attained eternal bliss. Now, standing before the throne of the glory of the Lord, pray for us, that we may be delivered from the captivity of the devil, and may be able to pray to God unencumbered:
Alleluia.
Icos 12
Singing your hymn in God, and your wondrous and glorious deeds, we magnify and exalt you, holy martyr Cyprian and martyr Justine, such grace having been given to you from God. We implore you: when in the hour of our tribulation, demonic legions stand against our souls, then show us your intercession, that we may be preserved by you, and may cry out thus:
Rejoice, from the snares of the enemy’s cunning.
Rejoice, from sorrows and troubles.
Rejoice, having loved Christ to the end.
Rejoice, having laid down your souls for Him.
Rejoice, having been washed in the Lamb’s blood.
Rejoice, having been filled with the Lord’s two natures.
Rejoice, having been enrolled among the holy assembly.
Rejoice, having been enlightened by the Trinity’s light.
Rejoice, Cyprian and Justine, speedy helpers and intercessors for our souls.
Condak 13
O most glorious and glorious maidens of God, holy martyr Cyprian and martyr Justine, speedy helpers to all who come to you with faith! Accept from us, unworthy ones, this hymn of praise, and heal all our bodily and spiritual infirmities, protect us from visible and invisible enemies, and intercede with the Lord to deliver us from eternal torment, that we may cry out together with you:
Alleluia.
(This Condak is read three times, then Icos 1 and Condak 1)
Prayer
Oh, holy martyr Cyprian and martyr Justine, hear our humble prayer! For although your earthly life was ended in martyrdom for Christ, your spirit does not depart from us, teaching us to walk according to the Lord’s commandments and to bear the cross patiently. Therefore, having obtained boldness towards Christ God and His immaculate Mother, be our strong intercessors and advocates, that by your intercession, we may be preserved unharmed from demons, sorcerers, and evil men, glorifying the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.