James Intercisus
Encyclopedia
Saint James Intercisus is a Persian
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. His death started the Roman-Sassanid War (421-422). He was killed in Jondishapur. The ruins of this city are near Dezful, Iran.
The Church of St. James Intercisus
in the Armenian Quarter
of Jerusalem is dedicated to him.
The Monastery of St. Jacob Persian in Sireţi, Străşeni
Moldova
is dedicated to him.
The Monastery of St. Jacob Persian in Deddeh, Lebanon
is dedicated to him.
His feast day is November 27.
Persian people
The Persian people are part of the Iranian peoples who speak the modern Persian language and closely akin Iranian dialects and languages. The origin of the ethnic Iranian/Persian peoples are traced to the Ancient Iranian peoples, who were part of the ancient Indo-Iranians and themselves part of...
saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
. His surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
, Intercisus, is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
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
Decapitation
Decapitation is the separation of the head from the body. Beheading typically refers to the act of intentional decapitation, e.g., as a means of murder or execution; it may be accomplished, for example, with an axe, sword, knife, wire, or by other more sophisticated means such as a guillotine...
.
Tradition states that he was a military officer and courtier
Courtier
A courtier is a person who is often in attendance at the court of a king or other royal personage. Historically the court was the centre of government as well as the residence of the monarch, and social and political life were often completely mixed together...
to Yazdegerd I
Yazdegerd I
Yazdegerd I, or Izdekerti , was the thirteenth Sassanid king of Persia and ruled from 399 to 421. He is believed by some to be the son of Shapur III and by others to be son of Bahram IV...
who had apostatized
Apostasy
Apostasy , 'a defection or revolt', from ἀπό, apo, 'away, apart', στάσις, stasis, 'stand, 'standing') is the formal disaffiliation from or abandonment or renunciation of a religion by a person. One who commits apostasy is known as an apostate. These terms have a pejorative implication in everyday...
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
Bahram V
Bahram V was the fourteenth Sassanid King of Persia . Also called Bahram Gur or Bahramgur , he was a son of Yazdegerd I , after whose sudden death he gained the crown against the opposition of the grandees by the help of Mundhir, the Arab dynast of al-Hirah.- Reign and war with Rome :Bahram V...
, and was tortured and killed. His death started the Roman-Sassanid War (421-422). He was killed in Jondishapur. The ruins of this city are near Dezful, Iran.
The Church of St. James Intercisus
Church of St. James Intercisus
The Church of St. James Intercisus is situated in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem. It is dedicated to James Intercisus, a Persian saint....
in the Armenian Quarter
Armenian Quarter
The Armenian Quarter is one of the four quarters of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Armenian Quarter is the smallest of the four quarters, with the smallest number of residents....
of Jerusalem is dedicated to him.
The Monastery of St. Jacob Persian in Sireţi, Străşeni
Straseni
Străşeni is a city of about 20,000 inhabitants in central Moldova, the administrative center of Străşeni District. The city administers one village, Făgureni. There are several legends about its name...
Moldova
Moldova
Moldova , officially the Republic of Moldova is a landlocked state in Eastern Europe, located between Romania to the West and Ukraine to the North, East and South. It declared itself an independent state with the same boundaries as the preceding Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1991, as part...
is dedicated to him.
The Monastery of St. Jacob Persian in Deddeh, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
is dedicated to him.
His feast day is November 27.