Saint James Intercisus

Biography

Saint James Intercisus, also known as Jakob Intercisus and James the Mutilated, was a military officer and courtier who served King Jezdigerd I in Persia during the early 5th century. He lived during a time when Christians faced severe persecution under Jezdigerd's rule. Born in Beth Laphat, Persia, James became a loyal servant to King Jezdigerd I. However, in the face of intense persecution against Christians, he succumbed to the pressure and apostacized, abandoning his faith. During this period, James witnessed the suffering endured by his family members who steadfastly maintained their Christian beliefs. Following King Jezdigerd's death, James was confronted by family members who questioned his decision to renounce Christianity. This encounter sparked a profound crisis of faith and conscience within him. He deeply regretted his previous actions and felt compelled to publicly express his faith in Christ to the new king, Bahram. When James openly declared his Christian beliefs to King Bahram, he faced immediate condemnation. The king, enraged by James' refusal to denounce his faith once more, subjected him to continued torment and torture in an attempt to make him renounce Christianity again. Despite enduring severe suffering, Saint James Intercisus remained steadfast in his faith. He was eventually martyred for his unyielding devotion to Christ. His martyrdom occurred through a gruesome and agonizing process wherein he was slowly cut into twenty-eight pieces. Finally, he met his death by beheading in the year 421. Recognized for his unwavering faith and remarkable endurance in the face of extreme torture, Saint James Intercisus was canonized as a saint. His canonization took place before the formal establishment of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, commonly referred to as Pre-Congregation. As a result, he is considered a Pre-Congregation saint. Saint James Intercisus is venerated on November 27th each year, commemorating the day of his martyrdom. He is regarded as the patron saint of lost vocations and torture victims. Despite his physical mutilation, there is no specific representation associated with Saint James Intercisus. Instead, his story serves as a testament to the strength of faith and the hardships endured by early Christian martyrs.