Quiz on Saints’ Lives

During the reign of the Roman emperor Decius, a famous magician and sorcerer named Cyprian lived in Antioch, who came from the city of Carthage. Originating from impious parents, he as a child was dedicated by them to the service of the pagan Apollo. When he was seven years old, he was given to sorcerers to be taught sorcery and demonic wisdom. When he reached the age of ten, he was sent by his parents to Mount Olympus, which the pagans called the dwelling place of the gods, but in fact there were countless idols in which demons dwelt. On this mountain Cyprian learnt all the wiles of the devil: he learnt various demonic transformations, learnt to change the properties of the air, to bring winds, to make thunder and rain, to disturb the waves of the sea, to harm gardens, vineyards and fields, to send diseases and plagues on people, and in general learnt pernicious wisdom and evil filled diabolical activity. In a vain attempt to seduce a Christian woman named Justina, Cyprian became convinced of the power of the sign of the cross, converted to Christianity, then martyred.