Feast Day: November 27th
The Life of Saint James the Persian: As the executioners heard this, they cut off the toes of his feet one by one, in order to submit him to even more pain. But he was firm and adamant, thanking them at each toe, singing a Hymn…
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Prayers
Apolytikion: Be entreated, O Lord, by the sufferings endured for You by the Saints, and we Pray You, heal all our pain.
Apolytikion: The Martyr James, from the root of Persia, through his struggle drowned the deceiving dragon in the streams of his blood. For the faith of the Truth, his members were cut off, he appeared as a trophy-bearer and soldier of the Saviour, and he intercedes ceaselessly for our Souls.
Kontakion: O stout-hearted James, persuaded by thy noble wife, and fearing the dread tribunal, thou didst scorn all fear of the Persians with their profane decrees, and thou wast shown forth to be a most wondrous Martyr of Christ, when all of thy body was pruned like a vine.
Oikos: Let us all cry out from our Soul, and shed tears, beholding how the Martyr is bitterly torn apart. For his executioners have gathered around like dogs, and have torn apart the members of this wondrous and brave Martyr among the Martyrs. For would you not say that he was a little patient? And I respond diligently how he was offered to the Lord, when all of his body was pruned like a vine.
Verse: Your members were cut apart, and the Persian bore slaughter, “That I might save my Soul, take away my members”, he says. On the twenty-seventh, the Persian was torn to pieces.
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As they began the Martyrdom, the executioners cut off his thumb. And he turned toward Heaven and said:
“O Lord Jesus Christ, the Help of all those who are helpless, the Hope of all the hopeless, and the Strength of all the weak: receive the first branch of this tree by Thy Mercy. For as the vineyard gives forth leaves even when it is trimmed, thus will I appear before Thy Judgment Seat, safe and upright on the Day of Resurrection.”
When they cut off his second finger, he said:
“Receive, O Lord, the second branch of the tree that Thy Right Hand hath planted.”
His face was joyous and festive, as if he perceived our Lord’s future endowments. Then, they cut off his third finger, and he said:
“With the Three Youths in the furnace, I sing to Thee and Honour Thee, O Lord; with the Choirs of Martyrs, I sing praises to Thy Holy Name.”
As they cut off his fourth and fifth fingers, his mouth was filled with praise, and he said:
“In my five senses I bless Thee, O Lord; wherefore, receive the good pains of my right hand as a blessed fruit, O Master.”
Then they severed the fingers of his left hand, one by one, and he was grateful at each, saying an appropriate praise and hymn.
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“God forbid! I will not commit such a pretense. One cannot serve two masters. Whosoever puts his hand to the plough and turns back, is not worthy of the Heavenly bliss. It is not right for me to love my mother and wife more than I love my God and Saviour. Whosoever does not lift up his cross to follow Christ, is an unworthy servant. For these small pains, I go to my Master to receive the laurel of Martyrdom. Therefore, I Pray thee, do not sorrow for me, but rejoice and be glad with me.
As the executioners heard this, they cut off the toes of his feet one by one, in order to submit him to even more pain. But he was firm and adamant, thanking them at each toe, singing a Hymn.
At one point he was heard to say, “The afflictions of the present are not worthy of the future glory.”
At other times, he encouraged himself, saying, “Why is my Soul saddened?” and many other verses.
Then, they cut off his feet at the ankles. And then, they severed them again at the knees. Afterwards, they mercilessly cut off his hands and arms. But the resolute one endured with a great Soul, as he saw his fingers, hands and legs on the ground. He did not utter one angry word at the executioners or the judge, but only Prayed incessantly, in order to comfort and encourage himself, with verses from the Old Testament, such as: “I will sing unto the Lord throughout my life, I will chant to my God for as long as I have my being. May my words be sweet unto Him, and I will rejoice in the Lord.”
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