By Bishop Grigorios of Mesaoria
Our Church today, November 27, commemorates the Greatmartyr James of Persia and Saint Nathanael.
Saint James lived in the 4th century AD in Persia, in the town of Bethlava, and came from an illustrious and wealthy family. Although a Christian at birth, he was seduced by his friend the Persian emperor Izdegerd and refused Christ.
The reactions and prayers of his mother and his wife, who told him that if he insisted on denying the Lord, they would not want to have the slightest relationship with him, 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 presented himself to the emperor on his own will with bold, and confessed Christ, 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 of man with the Triune God.
Source: Church of Cyprus
