James Intercisus

Saint James Intercisus
Born Persia
Died 421
Persia
Venerated in Eastern Orthodox Church
Roman Catholic Church
Eastern Catholic Churches
Oriental Orthodoxy
Feast November 27

Saint James Intercisus, also known as Saint James the Mutilated (died 421) was a Persian Christian saint. His surname, Intercisus, is derived from the Latin word for "cut into pieces," which refers to the manner of his martyrdom: he was slowly cut into twenty-eight pieces. He survived this loss of limbs before being ultimately beheaded.

Tradition states that he was a military officer and courtier to Yazdegerd I who had apostatized after this ruler began to persecute Christians. Under the influence of his Christian family, however, he expressed his faith to Yazdegerd's successor, Bahram V, and was tortured and killed.[1] His death started the Roman-Sassanid War (421-422). He was killed in Gundishapur. The ruins of this city are near Dezful, Iran. Somehow, his body was sent to the Portuguese cathedral of Braga and put into a sarcophagus in the Relics Chapel.

James' story is recounted in The Golden Legend.

The Church of St. James Intercisus in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem is dedicated to him.[2]

The Monastery of St. Jacob Persian in Sireţi, Străşeni Moldova, the Monastery of St. Jacob Persian in Deddeh, Lebanon and the monastery of St James the Mutilated in Qara, Syria are all dedicated to him.

His feast day is November 27.

References

  1. ↑ John J. Delaney, Dictionary of saints, (Image, 2005), 323.
  2. ↑ Adrian J. Boas, Jerusalem in the time of the Crusades, (Routledge, 2001), 128.

Bibliography

  • Thieleman J. van Braght, Martyr's Mirror, 1660
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