Litany of the Three Saints
Based on the invocations from the Chaplet of Saint Cyprian of Antioch, the Litany of the Three Saints is an expansion of those same invocations into a Catholic-style litany prayer that recognizes not only Saint Cyprian of Antioch but also his companions Saint Justina and Saint Theocistus. While Saint Cyprian of Antioch is the patron saint of sorcerers, necromancers, and magicians, and is also the most well-known of these three saints, Saint Justina and Saint Theocistus are not to be forgotten as they are also a critical part of his same saintly story:
- Saint Justina was the Christian girl whom Cyprian tried to get to fall in love with Aglaias. She stood steadfast in the face of all of Cyprian’s magic, however, and warded off every attack from him, all his demons, and the Devil himself by making the sign of the Cross and through constant prayer and fasting. Once she heard of Cyprian’s conversion, she rejoiced and made many charitable gifts across Antioch, and eventually became a friend to Cyprian in Christ. Once Cyprian became priest, he made her a deaconess; once he became bishop, he elevated her to an abbess. They were both tortured and executed together by beheading. Many Orthodox icons of Saint Cyprian also feature Saint Justina.
- Saint Theocistus was a Roman soldier present at the execution of Saint Cyprian and Saint Justina. He saw how these two saints were tortured and, despite all the measures the Romans used against them, how nothing hurt them by the grace of God. At the beheading of the saints, Theocistus proclaimed his faith in Christ, kissing the feet of the body of Cyprian. He did this in the presence of the officials who had executed Cyprian and Justina, and so was also condemned and executed on the spot for his conversion.
This litany was first published in this 2014 post.
When praying the Litany of the Three Saints in a group, the prayer leader recites the upright text, and the congregation recites the italicized portions. When reciting it alone, all parts are read equally.
The invocation:
God, come to my assistance.
Lord, make speed to save us.Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.Amen.
The litany:
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.Saint Cyprian, born to pagan parents, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, dedicated to the god Apollo as a child, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, taught sorcery in Olympos, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, taught illusion in Argos, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, taught witchcraft in Tauropolis, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, taught necromancy in Sparta, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, taught enchantment in Memphis, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, taught astrology in Chaldaea, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, master of all the occult arts, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, magus residing in Antioch, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, approached by Aglaias to seduce Justina, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, unleashing demons of lust upon Justina, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, unleashing demons of deception upon Justina, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, unleashing the Devil himself upon Justina, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, wringing disaster on Antioch against Justina, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, casting deadly illness upon Justina, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, all magic defeated by the prayers of Justina, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, seeing Truth and rebuking the Devil and his snares, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, burning his books in sacrifice to God, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, confessing repentantly for his sins before all Antioch, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, baptized in the name of the Blessed Trinity, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, made priest within a year by his zeal for holiness, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, made bishop to lead all to divine virtue, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, condemned to death by the Romans, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, beheaded and departed into Heaven, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, entering into the communion of the holy saints, pray for us.
Saint Cyprian, preserving us from all evil arts and acts, pray for us.Saint Justina, virtuous maiden, pray for us.
Saint Justina, chased after by the world, pray for us.
Saint Justina, pursued by demons, pray for us.
Saint Justina, defending herself by the sign of the Holy Cross, pray for us.
Saint Justina, celebrating at the conversion of Cyprian, pray for us.
Saint Justina, gracious friend to Cyprian, pray for us.
Saint Justina, made abbess by Cyprian, pray for us.
Saint Justina, slandered by the Romans with Cyprian, pray for us.
Saint Justina, becoming a martyr in Christ with Cyprian, pray for us.Saint Theocistus, soldier of the Romans, pray for us.
Saint Theocistus, turning his heart to Christ, pray for us.
Saint Theocistus, witnessing the execution of Cyprian and Justina, pray for us.
Saint Theocistus, kissing the corpse of the martyrs Cyprian and Justina, pray for us.
Saint Theocistus, declaring his faith in Jesus Christ because of Cyprian and Justina, pray for us.
Saint Theocistus, executed for his forsaking of the world, pray for us.
Saint Theocistus, ennobled for his conversion to God, pray for us.Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.Pray for us, Saint Cyprian, Saint Justina, and Saint Theocistus, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
The collect:
Let us pray: O God, who sent the Holy Spirit to preserve Saint Cyprian from darkness even while he dwelt within its midst, grant in your mercy that you enlighten us and inspire us. May that the life and martyrdom of Saint Cyprian teach us to abandon wickedness, heal us to be free of sin, and bless us through Jesus Christ + to walk in the light of truth. By the intercession of Saint Cyprian, Saint Justina, and Saint Theocistus, lead us to a true conversion of heart that we may use both our hands and all our power in service and sacrifice to Your Presence, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.