St Cyprian: Prayer to the Martyrs of Nicomedia
Today is the feast of St Cyprian of Carthage. The tomorrow begins the period of nine days leading up to the feast of St Cyprian of Antioch on September 26th.
As every year, I encourage the Strategerati to do the a Novena to St Cyprian. Two years ago I wrote a Sorcerer’s Prayer for this occasion that you can find on my blog. This year however I have been directed to encourage people not only to pray to St Cyprian, but to Justina and Theoctistus.
As I mentioned before, In my communications with Cyprian he has expressed serious issues with his current popularity and the sidelining of his Christianity. Viewing him as someone that was only masquerading as a Christian is incorrect. It is precisely his conversion to Christianity that makes him notable.
Because of his growing popularity and reputation for success a lot of non-Christians want to work with him, which is fine, but if you cannot utter the name “Jesus Christ” in a prayer without getting apoplectic then I would advise against working with this saint. One must also not forget to mention Justina. As Jesse Hathaway pointed out this weekend when we were chatting: “It was she that overcame him and his rape demons after all!”
The role of St. Justina is clear: she is the Wisdom to compliment St Cyprians means. She is the taming influence to his wild power. She is the shield that not even he can overcome. I also want to offer that she is an excellent saint to call upon for the prevention of rape, and for rape survivors who are dealing with their pain.
The role of Theoctistus is that of grace in extension. He witnessed the execution of Justina and Cyprian in Nicomedia where they were beheaded (only after unsuccessful attempts to boil them in Antioch – very similar to the story of Padmasambhava and Mandarava) and he instantly converted to Christianity, and was himself promptly beheaded. Their bodies were left for six days on the banks of the river Gallus until Christian sailors took their bodies to Rome where they were interred.
This Novena invokes all three of them as both Christian martyrs and sources of Sorcerous wisdom and intercession.
NOVENA TO THE MARTYRS OF NICOMEDIA
In the name of the great and mighty power of God I invoke the sublime influence of St. Cyprian, St. Justina, and St. Theoctistus.
Answer the resolve of my devotion with success in all that I do. Remove all spells worked against me and all bonds placed upon me. Make level the path before me and clear every obstacle in my way.
Holy Cyprian Sorcerer Saint, Martyr and Mage, bless my efforts to follow you in your path. You who commingled with angels, devils, and earthly spirits, grant the power to commune and command the spirits as you did, and as Solomon and Manasses did before you.
Holy Justina, Virtuous Virgin, Arcane Abbess, make me immune to curses, crossing, and conjurations. As you tamed Cyprian and brought him to serve the Lord, tame all demons and spirits whether they be set against me, or whether I call them myself.
Holy Theoctistus, Soldier Saint, first convert of the holy pair. Lend me your strength and resolve. As the grace and power of Cyprian and Justina was extended to you, extend it to me that it may work through me, and that I may act upon it.
I bare my heart to you and place all worry and care into your holy hands. Free me from all evil. Smite those who would do me harm. Draw a circle of protection around me and those whom I love. In the night be my lantern and my solace. In the daylight be my guide and my protector. Through the intercession of the martyrs of Nicomedia, in Christ Jesus hear my prayers and spells. Bathe my words in the blood of Christ and bring them to fruition.
St Cyprian ora pro nobis
St Justina Ruego ora pro nobis
St Theoctistus Ruego ora pro nobis
Amen.
At the end of the Novena make the sign of three nails with the right hand and cross yourself with it three times.
If you want to do more, you can anoint yourself with oil. If you want to do even more, set up an altar with a statue or image of St Cyprian and St Justina and perhaps Theoctistus, a purple candle, and a glass of water. If you want to do more than that… read a fucking book you lazy bastard
There are a LOT to choose from suddenly….
