The Church of Saint Cyprian is an important religious landmark in Heraklion, offering the faithful a place of worship, prayer, and spiritual reflection. The church is dedicated to Saint Cyprian, a wealthy, noble philosopher from Carthage in Libya. He lived during the reign of Emperor Decius (249–251 AD) and practised the art of sorcery in Antioch.
A pagan man named Aglaidas fell in love with a Christian woman named Justa, but she did not return his feelings, and so he turned to the renowned “enchanter” Cyprian for help. All of Cyprian’s sorcery, however, proved powerless in the face of the steadfast refusal of the Christian young woman. Acknowledging the failure of his art, Cyprian burned his books on sorcery before Bishop Anthimos, asking to be baptised and ordained as a priest. The church celebrates on the feast of the Holy Hieromartyr Cyprian and Saint Justina, commemorated on 1–2 October each year.
Address: 14 Parthenonos Str., Heraklion 141 21
