Cyprian was a pagan priest in the city of Antioch, Syria, in the third century.

One day he became interested in believing in Christ, and a Christian girl named Justina helped him to become acquainted with the truths of the saving faith.

Cyprian was an educated man, and therefore, as soon as he mastered Christ's teaching, he was ordained as a cleric, and even became a bishop.

In the time of Emperor Decius, however, he, along with Justin and another Christian named Theoctistus, were imprisoned and tortured in the eastern imperial capital of Nicomedia.

And because they did not agree to renounce the faith, they were cut down with the sword.

Andrew was a humble and pious Christian who pretended to be a Jew.

There is this kind of holy people who out of humility present themselves as fools and are called "fools for Christ's sake."

They consciously take on the appearance of insane, willingly subject themselves to all possible deprivations, humiliations and sufferings, so that by becoming "of the lowest race" of this world, despised, they find mercy in the eyes of God.

Such was also St. Andrew, who shone as a juridian in Constantinople in the 9th-10th centuries.

In that big city among so many rich and happy people, he, like Christ, had nowhere to lay his head.

He never rested under a roof, but lay on the rubbish heap like poor Lazarus, despised, kicked.

During a prayer in the Blacherna Church, St. Andrew was honored to see the Blessed Virgin Mary, who covered the worshipers with her veil.

We celebrate this event on October 1, BTA informs.

Saint Andrew performed many miracles, converted many sinners to the path of salvation.

But never during these wonderful manifestations of God's mercy to him did an iota of pride appear in his soul.

He continued to keep the deepest humility, and prayed constantly for those who mocked him, as well as for all people in general.

St.

Andrei died in old age.