4th–5th century
Saint James the Persian, Great Martyr
A Persian courtier who denied Christ to please the king, repented through his family's rebuke, and was martyred by brutal dismemberment.
Biography
James lived in Persia around the year 400, at a time when he was a friend of King Yazdegerd. Drawn in by that friendship and by honours at court, he denied his faith in Christ.
When his devout mother and wife learned of his denial, they renounced him in sorrow and anger, which shook him deeply and brought him to repentance. He then went before the king and publicly professed his faith in Christ once more. Unable to change his mind, Yazdegerd had him tortured by the cutting off of his limbs, joint by joint, and finally beheaded.