His Life

The date of the birth of St. James of Nisibis is unknown, but it is known that he died in the year 338.  He was educated in Caesarea, together with St. Gregory the Enlightener.  He lived a very pious life, in Nisibis, where he subjected himself to the very rigorous life of hermits of the times.  As a rhetorician and miracle worker, he enjoyed such widespread popularity that Patriarch Melitus of Antioch ordained him bishop in Amida and named him to the See of Nisibis (Medzbin), as a result of which he became known as the Patriarch of Nisibis.

St. James, being well endowed with administrative ability, served his people well, even in civil matters.  It is said that Persian monarch Shapur II, having succeeded in far-reaching military conquests, on reaching Nisibis, besieged the city.  After 70 days of siege the attack failed to break the defenses due to the wise stratagem used by St. James.  It is probably based on this historical episode that St. Nerses the Gracious composed a beautiful sharakan (hymn) dedicated to St. James, starting with the words "Victorious and hallowed patriarch..."

St. James was an erudite theologian.  He participated in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, in the year 325, when 318 high-ranking church leaders set forth the Articles of Faith known as the Nicene Creed.

There has been conjectures concerning St. James' racial lineage, it being thought that he was Assyrian.  However, the unusual love and veneration shown this patriarch by Armenians point to a different tradition whereby he was thought to be the son of Khosrovuhi, an aunt of St. Gregory the Enlightener.  St. Gregory is thought to have assigned St. James to the challenging role of preaching and organization in the district of Sasoun.

The Great Popularity of St. James of Nisibis

Beginning in the fourth century, the Armenian Church and the people have shown uncommon love and reverence toward the patriarch St. James of Nisibis.  St. James was zealous in his undertakings, especially in Sasoun and surroundings within the province where he founded churches and schools.

In order to demonstrate the truth of the Bible, he tried to reach the summit of Mt. Ararat, to find remains of Noah's Ark.  However, ascent to the summit having been exceedingly difficult, he contented himself with bringing back a small fragment of the Ark.  As tradition has it, a God-sent angel, admiring the strong faith and perseverance of the patriarch in his hallowed quest, handed him the fragment, which today is on display in a golden triptych in the repository of treasures at Echmiadzin.

Patriarch St. James is the first person, historically, to have the courage to ascend to the summit of Mt. Ararat.  It is worthy to note that even St. Gregory of Narek had been an admirer of the Patriarch of Nisibis, to whom one of the panegyrics is devoted.

Armenians in large communities in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, the United States have churches named for the Patriarch.  Those parishes celebrated the Feast of St. James with great ceremony, and the blessing of "matagh".  The feast occurs on a Saturday in mid-December.  The same day, according to tradition, provides the occasion where in individual homes there is a member of the family named James (Jacob, or Hacob, or Hagop), joyful celebrations are held with friends and relatives, to congratulate the honoree.

Intercession

In ancient times, medical means and procedures were altogether inadequate to deal with contagious and fatal diseases, such as plague.  The people sought cure through prayer and faith.  Armenians often did so, and in their prayers called on Patriarch St. James of Nisibis, an intercessor.

St. James Monastery at the Foot of Masis

The monastery bearing the name of St. James, at the foot of Masis (Mt. Ararat) was destroyed by the severe earthquake of 1840.

Relics Associated with Patriarch St. James

Cyprus:  A hallowed relic in the form of a candlestick, from the Patriarch St. James, exists in the ancient Holy Mother-of-God Armenian Church in Nicosia, Cyprus.  Pilgrims can view that relic during the church's annual festival, each year on November 21.

Lebanon:  An important relic may be found in the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, in Antelias.  That relic has been enclosed in a precious cross, in 1798.