Saint James of Nisibis

Bishop and Confessor
(died 338)

Saint James of Nisibis was one of the most celebrated bishops of the ancient Church in the East, and his fame as a holy man spread throughout the Christian world in his own lifetime. He was born in the region of Mesopotamia and in his youth was drawn to the ascetic life, spending years as a hermit in the forests and mountains near Nisibis, the great city on the frontier between the Roman Empire and Persia. He lived in the open air in all seasons, sustained by wild plants and spring water, and his austerities were so severe that they became the object of admiring wonder throughout the region.

He was drawn from his solitude by the unanimous desire of the people of Nisibis, who elected him their bishop around the year 308. As bishop he governed his flock with great wisdom and pastoral care, and his reputation for miracles attracted visitors from great distances. He is said to have caused rain to fall in time of drought, to have driven away invading armies by his prayer, and to have worked many other marvels in the service of his people.

He was one of the bishops who attended the First Council of Nicaea in 325, where he signed the creed that defined the consubstantiality of the Son with the Father against the Arian heresy. He returned from Nicaea as one of the most respected figures in the Eastern Church. Among his disciples was the great Saint Ephrem the Syrian, who accompanied him to Nicaea and who later wrote of his master with deep admiration and affection.

When the Persian king Shapur II besieged Nisibis in 338, James led the defence of the city with a combination of prayer and practical leadership that is described in moving terms by ancient sources. He died during the siege or shortly after, having spent his entire episcopal life in the service of a frontier city threatened by war. His feast is observed on July 15th in the Roman martyrology and on other dates in Eastern calendars.