The Church commemorates Great-Martyr James of Persia and Saint Nathanael.
Saint James was born to a wealthy family in the 4th century AD in Persia in the town of Bethlava. Although a Christian at birth, he was seduced by his friend the Persian emperor Izdegerd and renounced his faith in Christ.
The reactions and prayers of his mother and his spouse, who told him that if he insisted on renouncing the Lord, they would not want to see him again, saved him from the eternal loss. These words and, of course, God’s mercy brought James to his senses, who was not satisfied just by renouncing the idols. He confessed his faith in Christ before the emperor, which resulted in his severe torture and death by a sword.
Through the life of Saint James, which is especially moving, the salvific power of repentance is revealed, which not only leads to the forgiveness of sins but also to the holiness and union with the Triune God.
Source: Church of Cyprus