The Great Book of Saint Cyprian
Encyclopedia
The Great Book of Saint Cyprian is a book that deals with the occult. The book is written in Portuguese
and Spanish and has been published in several editions with varying titles.
, the Cyprian referred to is without doubt the legendary sorcerer and later Christian convert, bishop, and saint, Cyprian of Antioch
who was martyred together with Justina. The actual book appeared centuries after his death and could not possibly have been written by him. In fact the first known edition came out in 1849. According to the full title "it was the Book of Saint Cyprian, taken from a manuscript. Made by the Saint himself, who teaches how to undo all the spells made by the Moors in this Kingdom of Portugal, and also how to find the places where riches can be found."
and Candomblé
. Several editions of the work appear as "Great and True"; "The Only Complete One"; "Authentic"; "In a Black Cape"; "In a Steel Cape". All explain that Saint Cyprian, the sorcerer of Antioch is not the same as the famous bishop of Carthage. All contain instructions to priests on how to cure disease; evil spells and exorcisms; a list of 174 treasures of Galicia; the Prayer of the Guardian Angel; 50 mysteries of witchcraft from the time of the Moors
(including medicine); treasure of magic (for example, way to capture a little devil making a pact with Satan; black magic to destroy a marriage; a skull lit up with candles of grease to do evil to a person); an explanation of hidden powers of hatred and love; the hidden powers of magnetism; prayers of popular religiosity (Magnificat, Cross of Saint Benedict, Dream of Our Lady, Dearly beloved Jesus Christ, a prayer to aid the sick in the hour of death) and the prayer of the Black Goat; and so on.
.
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
and Spanish and has been published in several editions with varying titles.
Authorship
Although the book refers to Saint CyprianCyprian
Cyprian was bishop of Carthage and an important Early Christian writer, many of whose Latin works are extant. He was born around the beginning of the 3rd century in North Africa, perhaps at Carthage, where he received a classical education...
, the Cyprian referred to is without doubt the legendary sorcerer and later Christian convert, bishop, and saint, Cyprian of Antioch
Cyprian and Justina
Saints Cyprian and Justina are honored in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy as Christians of Antioch, Pisidia who in 304, during the persecution of Diocletian, suffered martyrdom at Nicomedia on September 26, the date of their feast.-Legend:The outline of the...
who was martyred together with Justina. The actual book appeared centuries after his death and could not possibly have been written by him. In fact the first known edition came out in 1849. According to the full title "it was the Book of Saint Cyprian, taken from a manuscript. Made by the Saint himself, who teaches how to undo all the spells made by the Moors in this Kingdom of Portugal, and also how to find the places where riches can be found."
History
The book was taken from Portugal to Brazil and became widely used in popular religion, especially UmbandaUmbanda
Umbanda is an Afro-Brazilian religion that blends African religions with Catholicism, Spiritism and Kardecism, and considerable indigenous lore....
and Candomblé
Candomblé
Candomblé is an African-originated or Afro-Brazilian religion, practised chiefly in Brazil by the "povo de santo" . It originated in the cities of Salvador, the capital of Bahia and Cachoeira, at the time one of the main commercial crossroads for the distribution of products and slave trade to...
. Several editions of the work appear as "Great and True"; "The Only Complete One"; "Authentic"; "In a Black Cape"; "In a Steel Cape". All explain that Saint Cyprian, the sorcerer of Antioch is not the same as the famous bishop of Carthage. All contain instructions to priests on how to cure disease; evil spells and exorcisms; a list of 174 treasures of Galicia; the Prayer of the Guardian Angel; 50 mysteries of witchcraft from the time of the Moors
Moors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
(including medicine); treasure of magic (for example, way to capture a little devil making a pact with Satan; black magic to destroy a marriage; a skull lit up with candles of grease to do evil to a person); an explanation of hidden powers of hatred and love; the hidden powers of magnetism; prayers of popular religiosity (Magnificat, Cross of Saint Benedict, Dream of Our Lady, Dearly beloved Jesus Christ, a prayer to aid the sick in the hour of death) and the prayer of the Black Goat; and so on.
Attitudes
Catholics and many Christians consider it a sin to possess it or even to touch it. Some owners of book shops keep it chained inside a box. In Portugal, it is believed that reading the book back to front will attract the DevilDevil
The Devil is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The nature of the role varies greatly...
.