Women of Reverence (2)

The Reverence of Saint Justina:
She lived in the third century AD. She was a spiritual person who stood firm against many temptations.

She had great authority against magic and against demons.

A young man fell in love with her and employed the greatest magician of his time, hoping to reach her through magic. The magician’s name was Cyprian. He used all his magic against her but failed.

Whenever he sent demonic powers to her, they found her standing in prayer, and they returned defeated, driven away by her spiritual authority.

The demons were put to shame before Cyprian the magician, who resolved to become a Christian if his demons failed to bring her to him.

Therefore, the devil appeared to him in the form of Justina, and Cyprian rejoiced and cried out, “Welcome, O Justina, greatest among women!”

But when the devil heard merely her name, he dissolved like smoke and became nothing.

Thus, Cyprian realized the deception of the devil and recognized Justina’s authority over demons. He abandoned his magic and became a Christian. He was baptized, then ordained a deacon, then a priest, and eventually became a bishop of Carthage. He appointed Justina as the head of a convent of nuns.

Thus, even the mere name of this saint caused terror among demons and became a reason for the salvation of a great magician and his transformation into a great bishop.

An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – in El-Keraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Forty-Five) 11-11-1977

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