Cyprus of Rome

Holy Martyr Cyprus of Rome is commemorated together with Bishop Hippolytus, Censorinus, Sabinus, the virgin Chrysia and many others, martyrs who suffered at Rome in the third century. The Azbyka page mentions Cyprus only in the list of those who suffered with Chrysia.

Censorinus was the first dignitary at the court of the emperor Claudius II (268-270). Denounced for his faith in Christ, he was thrown into prison, where in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ he raised a dead man. Because of this twenty soldiers, the guards of the prison, turned to Christ, and they were beheaded together with Censorinus. Then the virgin Chrysia was brought to trial; she boldly confessed herself a Christian and was put to torment. After fierce tortures she was drowned in the sea.

Sabinus was beaten with a heavy hammer, then hung on a tree and his body burned with fire. In his torments he gave his soul to the Lord.

With Saint Chrysia there also suffered Philiclus, Maximus, Herculinus, Venerius, Styracinus, Mina, Commodus, Hermes, Maurus, Eusebius, Rusticus, Monagrius, Amandinus, Olympius, Cyprus, Theodore, Tribunus, the presbyter Maximus, the deacon Archelaus and the bishop Cyrinus. Saint Hippolytus, bishop of Ostia, the harbour of Rome at the mouth of the Tiber, learned of their sufferings and, though advanced in years, came before the court and rebuked the persecutor, calling him a drinker of blood. The enraged judge gave him over to torture, and after long torments the saint was bound hand and foot and thrown into the sea.

Saint Cyprus is commemorated on 12 February, in the new style. His name is not in the present calendar of the Russian Orthodox Church.