Hieromartyr Cyprian and Virginmartyr Justina of Nicomedia

According to their Passion, Cyprian of Antioch was a famous sorcerer who tried by his arts to win the Christian maiden Justina for a young man named Aglaidas. When every spell failed against her, he burned his books, was baptized and later became a bishop.

Under Diocletian both were brought to Nicomedia and beheaded c. 304; Cyprian asked that Justina die first, so that she would not be frightened by his death. A bystander named Theoctistus, moved by their deaths, declared himself a Christian and was executed with them. Historians regard the story as a legend that may have borrowed features from Cyprian of Carthage.