November 5 / October 23
1. The Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord
James is called the Lord’s brother because he was the son of the righteous Joseph, the betrothed of the Most-holy Theotokos. When the righteous Joseph was near death, he divided his estate among his sons, and wanted to leave a portion to the Lord Jesus, the son of the Most-holy Virgin, but all the other brothers opposed this, not regarding Jesus as their brother. James greatly loved Jesus and declared that he would include Jesus in his share. That is why he is called the Lord’s brother. From the beginning, James was devoted to the Lord Jesus. According to tradition, he traveled to Egypt with the Most-holy Virgin and Joseph, when Herod sought to slay the newborn King. Later, as soon as he heard Christ’s teaching, James lived by it. It is said of him that he never ate fat or oil, but lived on just bread and water, and was a virgin to the end of his life on earth. He often kept vigil at night and prayed to God. The Lord numbered him among His Seventy Apostles. Following His glorious Resurrection, the Lord appeared to him especially, as the Apostle Paul testifies (I Corinthians 15:7). He was Bishop of Jerusalem for thirty years and zealously governed the Church of God. At the instruction of the Lord, James compiled the first Liturgy, which seemed very long for later Christians, and St. Basil and St. John Chrysostom short- ened it. He converted many Jews and Greeks to the Christian Faith, and even the unbelieving Jews were amazed at his righteousness, referring to him as “James the Just.” When Ananias became High Priest, he and other Jewish elders determined to kill James for being a preacher of Christ. Once, during the feast of Passover, when many people had gathered in Jerusa- lem, the elders forced James to climb onto the roof of the Temple, and tried to make him speak against Christ. He climbed up and spo- ke to the people of Christ as the Son of God and the true Messiah, of His Resurrection and His eternal glory in the heavens. The infuriated priests and elders pushed him off the roof; he fell and was severely injured, but was still alive. Then, one man ran up and struck him on the head with a fuller’s club with such force that his brains spilled out. Thus, this most glorious apostle of Christ died a martyr’s death, and went to live eternally in the Kingdom of his Lord. James was sixty-six years old when he suffered for Christ.
2. Saint Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople (877)
Ignatius was the son of Emperor Michael Rangabe. He became patri- arch after St. Methodius in 846. Then Ignatius was deposed in 858 and exiled. Photius, the chief secretary to the emperor, was made patriarch in his place. However, when Emperor Basil the Macedonian ascended the throne, he re-instated Ignatius to the patriarchal throne. St. Ignatius gov- erned the Church with great zeal and wisdom. He built the Monastery of the Holy Archangels in which he reposed in the Lord in the eighty-ninth year of his life.
3. The Blessed James of Borovichi (Novgorod)
All that is known of this saint is what he revealed in a vision to people from the town of Borovichi after his repose. One day in 1540, his body floated down the river Meta, and washed ashore near Borovichi. Many miracles took place from his relics.
- Petronius of Egypt (346), disciple of St. Pachomius the Great.
- Oda of Amay, foundress of churches (Neth.) (723).
- Nicephorus of Charsianos, Constantinople.
- Macarius the Roman, of Mesopotamia.
- Elisha of Lavrishevo, Belorussia (1250).
- New Hieromartyrs Eusebius, archbishop of Shadrinsk, and Vladimir, priest, of Moscow (1937).
HYMN OF PRAISE
The Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord
James, the Brother of the Lord, a most beautiful righteous one,
Explained the teaching of Christ with his life,
And when they tortured him, he meekly knelt,
And prayed to God for his enemies.
In a most difficult place, at a most difficult time,
He patiently bore the episcopal yoke.
He governed the Church as a good shepherd,
And glorified the Lord in word and deed.
He taught men to love Jesus,
And taught the faithful to pray to God.
“Vainglorious man, what is faith alone?
Faith without works is as empty straw.
Whoever has hearing, let him hear the teaching:
Faith without works is a body without spirit.
Whence come wars, abhorrent to all?
From the impure passions of your body.
Men always war and have no peace,
For their hearts desire evil, then shed blood.
Whoever turns a sinner away from error
Will receive the Lord’s gift of eternal life in reward.”
The Jews slew the righteous James—
But they have murdered themselves,
and glorified him!
O wonderful James, holy apostle,
Help the faithful who pray to you.
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