History and overview of the Church of Cyprian and Ustinha in Cyprus

Where is the Temple of Cyprian and Ustinha?

To touch the relics and images of the great martyrs, pilgrims from all over the world come to the village of Meniko. It is located 20 km from the capital of the island state of Nicosia. The village is small, but very ancient. Her age coincides with the creation of the church.

You can get to the village by rented car in 40 minutes or take one of the excursions offered by travel companies. When traveling alone:

1. From Nicosia take the A9 highway. Then turn to Palaiometocho.
2. From Larnaca you can take a bus to the Latsia stop.
3. From Limassol, first head along the B9 highway until it intersects with the A9. Then turn, following the sign for Palaiometocho.
4. From Paphos drive 68 km towards Limassol. Then they move along the specified route.

On a note

A small village stands on the Akaki River. It is home to a little more than 1000 people. Local residents are farmers. They grow fruits and vegetables and engage in livestock farming.

Walking through Meniko

Local residents are hereditary farmers. The lands around the village are carefully cultivated: crops and vegetables are grown here. There are a lot of pig farms in the area. Moreover, in such numbers that in 2010 the Meniko authorities raised the issue of improving the sanitary situation in the village and its surroundings. The matter has progressed and now vacationers are not afraid to feel “like in a pigsty.” In addition, about 10 years ago a lot of eucalyptus trees were planted in the village. Now on a hot day the air is filled with their unique and fresh aroma. And the trees themselves are very impressive, especially against the backdrop of dawn or sunset.

Judging by the finds discovered during the excavations, in ancient times the village was inhabited by cattle breeders and farmers. This is evidenced by numerous figurines depicting the god of fertility Baal-Hammon, the patron saint of shepherds and farmers. A clay temple dating back to the 6th century BC was also discovered here. In addition to fields and livestock farms, villagers pay a lot of attention to gardening. The olive, lemon, citrus and pomegranate groves are simply delicious. If you come here during the flowering period, you will never forget this sight!

However, if after such an introduction your imagination painted a typical rural landscape of the 18th century, you are very deeply mistaken. Meniko has absolutely all the benefits of civilization: excellent roads, a sports center, 2 well-kept parks, a reservoir and other infrastructure. The latest achievements of technological progress, especially in the agricultural sector, have not been forgotten.

History of the temple

The church was built 700 years ago. It was erected on the site of a small chapel. According to legend, underneath there was a cave in which peasants found an icon with the face of the Mother of God. The remains of the holy great martyrs were brought from Rome to Cyprus in the 12th century to save them from the barbarians.

The relics of Saints Cyprian and Justina had the ability to cure various diseases, remove damage and the evil eye. All the islanders learned about these miraculous abilities. By touching them, the ruler of Cyprus, Petros, was cured of his fever. He ordered the construction of a new temple. To store the holy relics, on his instructions, a silver sarcophagus was made. Six centuries later, a bell tower was added to the church.

Serving good

Seeing the true power of the Christian faith, Cyprian repented of his sins with all his heart and asked the spirits of darkness to leave him. But it was not there! The Devil himself “took hold of” the sorcerer, starting to beat him so that he would give up his thoughts. Gathering his strength, Cyprian made the sign of the cross and thereby saved his life.

Afterwards he went to the bishop, gave him all his “demonic” books to be burned and converted to Christianity. In just a year, he achieved high clergy and made Justina the abbess of the nunnery. During their ministry, they converted thousands of people to the true faith by personal example.

Because of their betrayal, Cyprian and Justina were captured and thrown into prison. After enduring many tortures, the great martyrs were executed. In the 12th century, the relics of the saints were transported to Cyprus and hidden in a small chapel. Then, by order of the Cypriot king Petros I, a church was erected in its place, in which their relics still lie.

Nowadays people come to this temple to ask for protection from the evil eye and damage. There is also a sacred spring where you can get healing water.

Relics

In the Church of St. Cyprian there is a carved iconostasis covered with gilding. There are ancient icons of the Mother of God, Christ the Merciful, and St. Michael, dating back to the 18th century.

Relics of saints

In the central part of the temple there is a silver shrine. The relics of Saints Cyprian and Ustinya are kept there. A priest is always present next to them. To ask for something, pilgrims approach the clergyman. He covers their head with the stole, which is part of the vestment, and says a prayer to the saints. Then the priest takes out from the box a bag with a piece of cotton wool moistened with olive oil. The priest blesses it on the relics and gives it to those who come. On the right, in a glazed box, a “shoe” is stored, which according to legend belonged to Spyridon of Trimifuntsky.

Icon of Saints Cyprian and Ustinha

The face of the holy martyrs is on the right side of the Royal Doors. The saint is depicted as a middle-aged man with a beard. He is dressed in the clothes of a saint. In his left hand he has a closed Gospel, and with his right Cyprian blesses people. Ustinya is depicted as a young girl, whose figure is completely wrapped in a veil. Her left hand is open, symbolizing sincere faith. There is a cross in the girl’s right palm.

On a note

Leaving the church in the village of Meniko, pilgrims can draw holy water from a special reservoir with water taps. Therefore, when going on an excursion, you need to take an empty container.

Priests

There are two priests serving in the church - Fathers Cyprian and Savvas. They speak different languages, including Russian. Pilgrims from Russia are always greeted here warmly and treated with warmth and love.

Hieromartyr Cyprian and Justina

The legend about the holy martyrs Cyprian and Justin has existed since ancient times. In its original form, in Greek, the story of Cyprian and Justina was presented in three books: “The Acts of Cyprian and Justina,” “The Confession of Cyprian,” and “The Martyrdom of Cyprian and Justina.”

In the 3rd century, during the reign of Decius (Roman emperor from 249 to 271), a pagan sage, the famous sorcerer Cyprian, originally from Carthage, lived in Antioch.

Coming from wicked parents, even as a child he was dedicated by them to the service of the pagan god Apollo. For seven years he was given to sorcerers to learn sorcery and demonic wisdom. Upon reaching the age of 10, he was sent by his parents to prepare for priestly service on Mount Olympus. Until the age of 30, Cyprian studied in the largest centers of paganism - on Mount Olympus, in the cities of Argos and Tavropol, in the Egyptian city of Memphis and in Babylon. Having comprehended the wisdom of pagan philosophy and sorcery, he was ordained a priest on Olympus. Having acquired the great power of calling unclean spirits, he saw the prince of darkness himself, talked with him, gave him all of himself into his power, and received from him a regiment of demons into his service. Returning to Antioch, Cyprian began to be revered by the pagans as the chief priest, surprising people with his ability to control the elements, send pestilence and plagues. Cyprian could seduce listeners with an inspired speech, and could shake the imagination of inexperienced Antiochites with amazing tricks. His bright black eyes glowed with some strange inspiration, pierced the man’s soul, subordinating it to the will of the magician. Many turned to him in their needs, and he helped them with demonic power. He seduced many people to all sorts of iniquities, and destroyed many with poison and sorcery.

One day a young man named Aglaid, the son of rich and noble parents, turned to him. One day he saw the girl Justina and was struck by her beauty, and from then on he began to seek her affection and love, but she refused him: “My groom is Christ; I serve Him and for His sake I maintain my purity.”

Justina was the daughter of a priest named Edesius, and her mother was called Cleodonia. They were all pagans. One day, sitting at the window in her house, the maiden Justina accidentally heard words of salvation from the lips of a passing deacon named Prailia. He spoke about the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ - that He was born of the Most Pure Virgin and, having performed many miracles, deigned to suffer for the sake of our salvation, rose from the dead with glory, ascended into heaven, sat down at the right hand of the Father and reigns forever. This sermon of the deacon fell on good soil, in the heart of Justina, and soon began to bear fruit, uprooting the thorns of unbelief in her. Justina wanted to learn the faith better and more completely from the deacon, but did not dare to seek him, restrained by girlish modesty. However, she secretly began to go to the Church of Christ and, often listening to the word of God, with the influence of the Holy Spirit on her heart, she believed in Christ. Soon she convinced her mother of this, and then led her elderly father to faith. Seeing the mind of his daughter and hearing her wise words, Edesius reasoned with himself: “Idols are made by human hands and have neither soul nor breath, and therefore how can they be gods.” Reflecting on this, one night he saw in a dream, by Divine permission, a wonderful vision: he saw a great host of luminous angels, and among them was the Savior of the world, Christ, who said to him: “Come to Me, and I will give you the kingdom of heaven.”

Rising in the morning, Edesius went with his wife and daughter to a Christian bishop named Ontatu, asking him to teach them the faith of Christ and perform holy baptism on them. At the same time, he related the words of his daughter and the angelic vision he himself had seen. Hearing this, the bishop rejoiced at their conversion and, having instructed them in the faith of Christ, baptized Edesius, his wife Cleodonia and daughter Justina. When Edesius became stronger in the faith of Christ, the bishop, seeing his piety, made him a presbyter. After this, having lived virtuously and in the fear of God for 1.5 years, Edesius ended his life in holy faith. Justina labored valiantly in keeping the commandments of the Lord and, having loved her Bridegroom Christ, served Him with diligent prayers, virginity and chastity, fasting and great abstinence.

When the young man Aglaid, the son of rich and noble parents, proposed Justina to become his wife, the holy martyr refused. Aglaid turned to Cyprian and asked him to use sorcery to persuade Justina to marry. But no matter how hard Cyprian tried, he could not do anything, because the holy martyr, through prayer and fasting, crushed all the machinations of the devil. Armed with secret knowledge and calling upon unclean spirits for help, Cyprian sent them 3 times to seduce Justina. They inspired her with evil thoughts, kindled carnal passion in her, tempted her with flattering and crafty speeches, but Justina defeated them with fasting, prayer and the sign of the cross, and, disgraced and frightened by the cross of the Lord, they fled in shame. Cyprian was then indignant and began to take revenge on Justina for his shame. He sent pestilence and plagues to the house of Justina and to the whole city, just as the devil once did to the righteous Job. She prayed earnestly, and the demonic obsession stopped.

Seeing that all his means were powerless against a weak creature - a young girl, armed only with prayer and the sign of the cross, Cyprian, having received his sight, renounced the works of the devil, took all his books of magic and went to the Christian bishop Anthimus. Falling at the feet of the bishop, he gave all his books to be burned and begged to be baptized. And the next day, having come to church, I did not want to leave it until I received Holy Baptism.

7 days after Baptism, Cyprian was ordained a reader, on the 20th day - a subdeacon, on the 30th - a deacon, and a year later he was ordained a presbyter. Cyprian completely changed his life, every day he increased his exploits and, constantly mourning his previous evil deeds, improved and ascended from virtue to virtue. He was soon made a bishop and in this rank he led such a holy life that he became equal to many great saints; At the same time, he zealously cared for the flock of Christ entrusted to him. He appointed the holy maiden Justina a deaconess, and then entrusted her with a nunnery, making her abbess over other Christian maidens. With his behavior and instruction, he converted many pagans and won them for the Church of Christ.

Seeing the strict life of Saint Cyprian, his concern for the faith of Christ and the salvation of human souls, the devil gnashed his teeth at him and prompted the pagans to slander him before the ruler of the eastern country in that he had disgraced the gods, turned many people away from them, and Christ, who was hostile to the gods glorifies them.

Under Emperor Diocletian, during the persecution of Christians, Bishop Cyprian and Abbess Justina were captured and subjected to severe torture. Cyprian's body was planed, and Justina's mouth and eyes were beaten; then they were thrown into a boiling cauldron, but it did not cause them any harm, and they, as if in a cool place, glorified God. They were then condemned to be beheaded by the sword.

Then they were brought to the place of execution, then Cyprian asked himself some time for prayer, so that Justina would be executed first: he was afraid that Justina would not be afraid at the sight of his death. She joyfully bowed her head under the sword and presented herself to her Bridegroom, Christ.

Seeing the innocent death of these martyrs, a certain Theoktistus, who was present there, greatly regretted them and, having inflamed his heart towards God, fell to Saint Cyprian and, kissing him, declared himself a Christian. Together with Cyprian, he was immediately condemned to beheading. So they gave their souls into the hands of God; their bodies lay unburied for 6 days. Some of the strangers who were there secretly took them and took them to Rome, where they gave them to a virtuous and holy woman named Rufina, a relative of Claudius Caesar. She buried with honor the bodies of the holy martyrs of Christ: Cyprian, Justina and Theoctistus. Death of St. Cyprian, Truth and Theoctistus followed around 304. At their graves, many healings took place for those who came to them in faith. With their prayers, may the Lord heal our illnesses, both physical and mental!

Knowing about the miraculous conversion to Christ of the holy martyr Cyprian, who was a servant of the prince of darkness and who broke his bonds by faith, Christians often resort to the prayerful help of the saint in the fight against unclean spirits.

Church of Cyprian in Meniko

In Cyprus, in the village of Meniko near Nicosia there is a temple of the Hieromartyr Cyprian and the Martyr Justina, where their holy relics rest. The relics were brought to Cyprus from Syria in 1298.

Kontakion, tone 1 Turning from the magical art of the wise God to the knowledge of the divine, you appeared to the world as the wisest physician, granting healing to those who honor you, Cyprian and Justina: with her we pray to the philanthropic Master to save our souls.

Listen to the audio in a separate player (0:36:56) - the story of Cyprian and Justina can be found here in mp3 format.

Temple architecture

The structure has a rectangular shape. The high walls are made of natural stone. The windows and doors are narrow and high. The two naves are connected in the shape of a cross. The roof has a complex configuration. It is covered with red tiles. The walls and domes are hand painted. Contemporary Cypriot artists worked on them.

Next to the church there are two shops with souvenirs dedicated to the history of the creation of the temple. You can also buy handmade icons there. The sellers in the shops speak Russian. Girls from Russia have been working there for more than eight years. They are happy to communicate with visitors, telling the history of the church and the miracles that happen there.

Important rules for tourists when visiting the temple

You can only go to church at certain hours:

• from 8:00 to 13:00 there is a service at which pilgrims can not only attend, but also confess;
• the next two hours are rest time, during this period access is limited;
• 15:00 - 18:00 entrance to the church is free, in the presence of a clergyman, pilgrims can pray at the icons, touch the relics and faces of saints;
• after 20:00 the temple closes.

In the afternoon, you can order a service or prayer service, or confess. It is believed that the remains of saints in Cyprus are endowed with special properties. They can cast out demons. Before turning to relics or icons for help, you must take communion or order a prayer service. Wishes will come true if they are made with pure thoughts.

During your holiday in Cyprus, it will be interesting and useful to visit a Cypriot religious landmark - the Church of Cyprian and Ustinya. Entry is free. There you can not only pray, but also ask for help. The relics of saints are believed to have miraculous powers.

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From sorcery to knowledge of the Divine

On October 15, the Russian Orthodox Church (October 2 - Cyprus) celebrates the day of remembrance of the holy martyrs Cyprian and Justinia. Their story is unique and interesting in that before his baptism, Cyprian (3rd century AD) was a famous black magician and sorcerer, and the martyr Ustinya, thanks to her true faith in Christ, resisted his demonic spells: the girl crushed all the machinations of the devil with prayer and fasting . Every year on October 15, priest Cyprian comes to the church from Moscow and conducts a service in Russian from 8 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.