Prokoptein

   
            "Far be it from us to dare set bounds to the boundless mercy of God;
            far be it from us to desire to search into the depths of the hidden
            counsels and judgement of God, an abyss that the mind of man cannot
            explore. . . . We must hold as of faith, that out of the Apostolic Roman
            Catholic Church there is no salvation; that she is the only ark of safety,
            and whosoever is not in her perishes in the deluge; we must also, on
            the other hand, recognize with certainty that those who are in invincible
            ignorance of the true religion are not guilty for this in the eye of the Lord."
            (Pope Pius IX, December 9, 1854)


            Love is felt in everyman. The detestable superstitions of Cyprian's
            pagan parents devoted him from infancy to the Devil. He was schooled
            in witchcraft, astrology and all the black arts. Cyprian did not
            hesitate to indulge in the extravagances of these blasphemies and
            lusted for the things of idolatrors.

            There lived at Antioch a young Christian lady called Justina, of high birth
            and great beauty. The pagan nobleman Cyprian fell deeply in love with her,
            and finding her modesty inaccessible, and her resolution invincible, he
            applied his knowledge of witchcraft. He tried every secret he was
            aquanted with to conquer her chasity.

            Justina, precieving herself vigorously attacked, studied to arm herself by
            prayer, watchfulness and fasting against the powers of his spells.
            Cyprian finding himself worsted by a superior power, began to consider
            the weakness of the infernal spirits and resolve to quit their service and
            become a Christian.

            Justina, apon hearing Cyprian's conversion took him for a worthy suitor.
            There was a persecution of Diocletian breaking out, Cyprian and Justina
            were seized. She was treated wickedly by the jailors and Cyprian was
            hung from iron hooks. After this they were both sent in chains before
            Diocletian, who commanded their heads be struck off.+

           
            Reflections: If the errors and disorders of Saint Cyprian show the
                              degeneracy of human nature corrupted by sin and enslaved
                              by vice, his conversion displays the power of grace and virtue
                              to repair it.


          ~~~
            <^>