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E07053: Coptic Martyrdom of *James/Iakobos the Dismembered (S01660), relating the circumstances of the translation of his remains, first from Persia to Jerusalem, and then, with Peter the Iberian, from Jerusalem via Alexandria to Oxyrhynchos in Middle Egypt, where a martyr shrine is built for his relics that soon becomes a successful healing shrine; most likely written sometime during the 6th century.
online resource
posted on 2018-11-02, 00:00 authored by BryanFor the Syriac original see $E07154
Cod. Vat. Copt. 59, fols. 156–212:
The title of the manuscript reads as follows:
ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓⲟⲛ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲑⲗⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲭⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲉⲣⲥⲏⲥ ⲉⲧⲁϥϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲁⲅⲱⲛ ⲛⲥⲟⲩ ⲕⲍ ⲙⲡⲓⲁⲃⲟⲧ ⲁⲑⲱⲣ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ
‘The martyr account of the crown bearer and martyr of Christ, Iakobos, the one from Persia, who completed his contest on day 27 of the month Hathyr [23 November]. In God’s peace. Amen.’
The date of his martyrdom is presented as follows (ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 50, lines 6–10):
ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲉⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲩⲟⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲕⲁⲇⲓⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲛⲛⲟⲩⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲛϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙⲡⲓⲉⲩⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ ⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲟⲥⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲩⲅⲟⲩⲥⲧⲟⲥ
ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉⲟⲥ ⲛⲥⲟⲩ ⲕⲍ ⲙⲡⲓⲁⲃⲟⲧ ⲛⲟⲉⲙⲃⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲁⲑⲱⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲣⲟⲩϩⲓ ⲙⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϯⲡⲁⲣⲁⲥⲕⲉⲩⲏ
‘It was the time of the emperors Arcadius [395–408 in the East] and Honorius [395–423 in the West], the sons of the pious emperor Theodosius, the Roman Augustus, on day 27 of the month November, which is Hathor, on Friday evening.’
The Coptic text of this martyr account relates the additional story of how the saint’s relics become buried in a martyr shrine built for him at Paim, a village in the Eastern outskirts of Oxyrhynchos.
Already while imprisoned during his trial, the praying martyr has a vision of Christ accompanied by saints. Christ urges him to remain strong telling him that he will make him famous even in such far away places as Egypt. Afterwards, the saints attend to the martyr’s wounds and his body is healed instantly.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 33, line 31–p. 34, line 9:
ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϯⲛⲁⲑⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲣⲥⲱⲓⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲙⲁⲓ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ϣⲁ ⲉϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲭⲱⲣⲁ ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲁⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛϧⲏⲧϥ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ
ⲟⲩⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁⲣⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲉⲟⲩⲉⲣⲫⲙⲉⲩⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ
ϩⲁⲛϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛϧⲏⲧϥ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲛ ⲙⲙⲟⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩϯ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲭⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ
ⲁⲩⲑⲉⲕⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲕⲁϣ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ⲛϯⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲁⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲟϫ
‘“I will cause your name to be famous everywhere, as far as the land of Egypt, the place where your body will rest. After a while a martyr shrine (martyrion) will be built there for you in your memory, the place where great miracles and wonders will occur to anyone who will pray to me through your name.”
The chorus of saints made their way and removed all the reeds from his body. He was healed instantly and his entire body became complete.’
After the saint’s martyrdom, his remains including his head and all 32 limbs were retrieved by faithful men and buried in great haste at a secret spot.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 50, lines 19–23:
ⲁⲩ{ⲁⲩ}ϫⲱⲗ ⲙⲡⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉϥⲙⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲩⲓⲣⲓ ⲙⲗⲃ ⲙⲙⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲉϥⲁⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲁⲩⲕⲟⲥϥ ϧⲉⲛ
ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛⲥⲡⲟⲩⲇⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲭⲱⲡ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲙⲡϣⲁ ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲟⲩϩⲓ ⲇⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲁⲩⲭⲁϥ ⲉϧⲣⲏⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲛⲥⲉⲙⲛⲟⲛ
‘They gathered the body of the saint together with all his limbs, making 32 limbs, as well as his head and his body and buried him in great haste and concealment as befitted him. When it was evening they placed him inside a sacred shrine (topos).’
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 51, lines 2–6:
ⲁⲩⲕⲱⲥ ⲙⲡⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲅⲉⲛⲛⲉⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲁⲩⲭⲁϥ ϧⲁⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛϩⲁⲛⲕⲉⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ
ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲉⲣⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ϩⲱⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲥⲁⲃⲱⲣ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛⲛⲓⲡⲉⲣⲥⲏⲥ
‘The body of the holy and noble man, saint Jakobos, was buried honourably. It was buried beside the bodies of the other holy martyrs, those who had also endured martyrdom at the time of Shapur the Persian king.’
Once his relatives heard about his martyrdom, they arrived and brought proper garments and gifts to his burial site. They gave goods to the saints buried there and took care of his remains, building him a martyr shrine (martyrion) in which the faithful would gather singing hymns.
When the king heard about the worship for these martyrs, he gave orders to burn and destroy any such cult places. As a result, faithful people secretly removed the bodies of the saints at night and brought them to Jerusalem.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 52, lines 19–28:
ⲁⲩⲃⲟⲣⲃⲉⲣ ⲛⲛⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲁⲩⲧⲁϫⲣⲱⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲥⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩϣⲓⲃϯ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲁⲩϯϩⲓⲱⲧⲟⲩ
ⲙⲡⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲛⲛⲓⲙⲁⲅⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲡⲉⲣⲥⲏⲥ ⲁⲩⲧⲁⲗⲟ ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲓⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ
ⲁⲩⲙⲟϣⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲛϩⲙ ⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲙⲟϣⲓ
ⲁⲩⲓ ⲉⲓⲗⲏⲙ ⲁⲩⲭⲱ ⲛⲛⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲓⲅⲉⲛⲛⲉⲟⲥ ⲙⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲛϧⲣⲏⲓ ϧⲉⲛ
ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲫⲁⲛⲓⲩⲃⲉⲣⲓⲟⲥ
‘They pulled the martyrs’ bodies forth, one by one, and fastened them in bags. They changed their dress and put on the dress of the Persian Magi. They loaded the body of the blessed Iakobos and the bodies of the holy martyrs onto themselves and walked with them on a direct route for a 40 days journey. They came to Jerusalem and deposited the bodies of the saints and the body of the noble, holy martyr Iakobos in a monastery called Phaniuberious ('that of the Iberians').’
Peter, the bishop of Gaza (c. 417-491), a descendant of Iberian kings, was a monk at that monastery, he was referred to as 'Abba Peter, the lover of martyrs' (Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 53, lines 6–7: ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ
ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ).
Because of his anti-Chalcedonian position, Peter the Iberian left Jerusalem and went to Alexandria.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 53, lines 8–18:
ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲇⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲁⲣⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ ⲟⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲉⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲁϩⲥⲁϩⲛⲓ ⲉⲉⲣⲇⲓⲱⲕⲓⲛ ⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲓⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ
ⲛⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲟⲩⲁϩⲟⲩ ⲛⲥⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲟⲇⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲭⲁⲗⲕⲏⲇⲱⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲗⲉⲱⲛ ⲗⲟⲓⲡⲟⲛ
ⲁⲩϭⲟϫⲓ ⲛⲥⲁ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ ϩⲱϥ ⲡⲓⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲓ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ ϯⲙⲏⲧⲣⲟⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲃ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉϥⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ
ⲉϩⲁⲛⲓⲉⲣⲟⲥⲟⲗⲟⲙⲓⲧⲏⲥ ⲛⲉ ⲁⲩⲱⲗⲓ ⲛⲛⲓⲗⲩⲙⲯⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲉⲩⲭⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲁⲯⲁ ⲛϩⲁⲧ ⲁⲩⲉⲛⲟⲩ
ⲉⲟⲩⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲕⲱϯ ⲛⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ ⲁⲩⲭⲁⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ
‘And it happened at that time that Markianos was the Roman emperor [450-457]. He demanded to prosecute the orthodox bishops, because they did not follow the synod that had taken place in Chalcedon and the tome of Leo. Thus, Abba Peter himself was pursued. He reached Alexandria, the Egyptian metropolis. Two of his disciples, men from Jerusalem, collected the holy relics of saint Iakobos, lying in a silver casket, went to a monastery near Alexandria and deposited them there.’
But because Proterios, the archbishop of Alexandria, had orthodox (non-Chalcedonian) monks rounded up and ejected from their monasteries, Peter the Iberian decided to leave the monastery near Alexandria to return to Gaza, when Iakobos appeared to him in a vision asking him to go to Oxyrhynchos instead.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 54, lines 2–14:
ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲉϥⲙⲟⲕⲙⲉⲕ ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲣϣⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉϯⲡⲁⲗⲉⲥⲧⲓⲛⲏ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲁϣⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉϯⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲡⲉⲙϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲛⲧⲉⲕϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲓⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲟϩⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ
ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲡⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉⲑⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛϭⲁⲩⲙⲱⲓⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲧⲉⲕⲛⲁϣⲉ ⲛϧⲏⲧⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲧⲉⲕⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲟ ⲛⲛⲁⲕⲁⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉϯⲛⲁⲧⲁⲙⲟⲕ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲛⲭⲱⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲥⲁ ⲡⲉⲓⲉⲃⲧ ⲛϯⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲡⲉⲙϫⲉ ⲛⲁⲩⲉ ⲛⲥⲧⲁⲇⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲙ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲧⲁⲥⲡⲓ ⲛⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙ ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ
‘While he (Peter) was considering these things, behold, saint Iakobos appeared to him. He said to him: “Do not go to Palestine, but rise and make your way to the city of Pemje [Oxyrhynchos] in Egypt, that place where you have been (all along). For I wish to stay there, just as the Lord wished to build a martyr shrine for me there. For it is I who shall be your guide on any path you shall walk, until you deposit my bones at the place which I will point out to you, in a small village east of the city of Pemje, about five stadia, called Paim in the Egyptian language.”’
Peter the Iberian left Alexandria accompanied by men carrying the bones of the saint. When he reached Oxyrhynchos, he stayed with a rich politeuomenos of the city, called Moyses, who hosted him with joy.
When Proterius, the patriarch of Alexandria, heard that Peter the Iberian was staying with Moyses at Oxyrhynchos, he sent soldiers to arrest him. Moyses then told Peter to hide at Paim, a place East of Oxyrhynchos owned by Moyses. The travellers took the martyr’s bones there and celebrated masses around him, when they had another vision of the martyr Iakobos and his companions, all in Persian dress resembling depictions of the prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Children, standing with the travellers and singing psalms.
Saint Iakobos told them that this was the place that was appointed to him as his burial site. He asked them to come a little further south of the village, where the promised martyr shrine should be built for him.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 56, lines 1–12:
ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲥⲁⲣⲏⲥ ⲙⲡⲓϯⲙⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲛⲧⲉⲕϣⲗⲏⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ϩⲱϯ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲑⲣⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁⲣⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ
ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲥⲉⲭⲱ ⲙⲡⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛϧⲏⲧϥ ϫⲉ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲉϥⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲑⲉⲣⲁⲡⲓⲁ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⲙⲡϭⲥ ⲛϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲛϧⲏⲧϥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲥⲉⲧⲱⲃϩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲛ
ⲁϥⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⲁⲩϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲁⲩⲉⲣⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲍⲓⲛ ⲙⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ
ⲁϥⲭⲁ ⲡⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲙⲙⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲡⲁⲧⲟⲩⲕⲉⲧ ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲅⲁⲣ
ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ
‘Arise and come a bit south of the village where you have prayed. For it is fitting to have a martyrion built there for me and to have my body placed in it, so that it shall become a cure for anyone who will come there in the Lord and will pray in my name.”
The saint came forth with the brothers. They prayed and our father Abba Peter made the sign of the cross over the earth of that place and put the body of the holy martyr Iakobos in that spot as a short term dwelling place, since the shrine (topos) had not yet been bu
Cod. Vat. Copt. 59, fols. 156–212:
The title of the manuscript reads as follows:
ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓⲟⲛ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲑⲗⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲭⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲉⲣⲥⲏⲥ ⲉⲧⲁϥϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲁⲅⲱⲛ ⲛⲥⲟⲩ ⲕⲍ ⲙⲡⲓⲁⲃⲟⲧ ⲁⲑⲱⲣ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⲁⲙⲏⲛ
‘The martyr account of the crown bearer and martyr of Christ, Iakobos, the one from Persia, who completed his contest on day 27 of the month Hathyr [23 November]. In God’s peace. Amen.’
The date of his martyrdom is presented as follows (ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 50, lines 6–10):
ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲉⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲩⲟⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲕⲁⲇⲓⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲛⲛⲟⲩⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲛϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙⲡⲓⲉⲩⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ ⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲟⲥⲓⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲩⲅⲟⲩⲥⲧⲟⲥ
ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉⲟⲥ ⲛⲥⲟⲩ ⲕⲍ ⲙⲡⲓⲁⲃⲟⲧ ⲛⲟⲉⲙⲃⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲁⲑⲱⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲣⲟⲩϩⲓ ⲙⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛϯⲡⲁⲣⲁⲥⲕⲉⲩⲏ
‘It was the time of the emperors Arcadius [395–408 in the East] and Honorius [395–423 in the West], the sons of the pious emperor Theodosius, the Roman Augustus, on day 27 of the month November, which is Hathor, on Friday evening.’
The Coptic text of this martyr account relates the additional story of how the saint’s relics become buried in a martyr shrine built for him at Paim, a village in the Eastern outskirts of Oxyrhynchos.
Already while imprisoned during his trial, the praying martyr has a vision of Christ accompanied by saints. Christ urges him to remain strong telling him that he will make him famous even in such far away places as Egypt. Afterwards, the saints attend to the martyr’s wounds and his body is healed instantly.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 33, line 31–p. 34, line 9:
ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϯⲛⲁⲑⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲣⲥⲱⲓⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲙⲁⲓ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ϣⲁ ⲉϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲭⲱⲣⲁ ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲁⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛϧⲏⲧϥ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ
ⲟⲩⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁⲣⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲉⲟⲩⲉⲣⲫⲙⲉⲩⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ
ϩⲁⲛϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛϧⲏⲧϥ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲛ ⲙⲙⲟⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩϯ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲭⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ
ⲁⲩⲑⲉⲕⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲕⲁϣ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ⲛϯⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲁⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲟϫ
‘“I will cause your name to be famous everywhere, as far as the land of Egypt, the place where your body will rest. After a while a martyr shrine (martyrion) will be built there for you in your memory, the place where great miracles and wonders will occur to anyone who will pray to me through your name.”
The chorus of saints made their way and removed all the reeds from his body. He was healed instantly and his entire body became complete.’
After the saint’s martyrdom, his remains including his head and all 32 limbs were retrieved by faithful men and buried in great haste at a secret spot.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 50, lines 19–23:
ⲁⲩ{ⲁⲩ}ϫⲱⲗ ⲙⲡⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉϥⲙⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲩⲓⲣⲓ ⲙⲗⲃ ⲙⲙⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲉϥⲁⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲁⲩⲕⲟⲥϥ ϧⲉⲛ
ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛⲥⲡⲟⲩⲇⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲭⲱⲡ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲙⲡϣⲁ ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲟⲩϩⲓ ⲇⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲁⲩⲭⲁϥ ⲉϧⲣⲏⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲛⲥⲉⲙⲛⲟⲛ
‘They gathered the body of the saint together with all his limbs, making 32 limbs, as well as his head and his body and buried him in great haste and concealment as befitted him. When it was evening they placed him inside a sacred shrine (topos).’
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 51, lines 2–6:
ⲁⲩⲕⲱⲥ ⲙⲡⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲅⲉⲛⲛⲉⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲁⲩⲭⲁϥ ϧⲁⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛϩⲁⲛⲕⲉⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ
ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲉⲣⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ϩⲱⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲥⲁⲃⲱⲣ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛⲛⲓⲡⲉⲣⲥⲏⲥ
‘The body of the holy and noble man, saint Jakobos, was buried honourably. It was buried beside the bodies of the other holy martyrs, those who had also endured martyrdom at the time of Shapur the Persian king.’
Once his relatives heard about his martyrdom, they arrived and brought proper garments and gifts to his burial site. They gave goods to the saints buried there and took care of his remains, building him a martyr shrine (martyrion) in which the faithful would gather singing hymns.
When the king heard about the worship for these martyrs, he gave orders to burn and destroy any such cult places. As a result, faithful people secretly removed the bodies of the saints at night and brought them to Jerusalem.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 52, lines 19–28:
ⲁⲩⲃⲟⲣⲃⲉⲣ ⲛⲛⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲁⲩⲧⲁϫⲣⲱⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲥⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩϣⲓⲃϯ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲁⲩϯϩⲓⲱⲧⲟⲩ
ⲙⲡⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲛⲛⲓⲙⲁⲅⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲡⲉⲣⲥⲏⲥ ⲁⲩⲧⲁⲗⲟ ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲓⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ
ⲁⲩⲙⲟϣⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲛϩⲙ ⲛⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲙⲟϣⲓ
ⲁⲩⲓ ⲉⲓⲗⲏⲙ ⲁⲩⲭⲱ ⲛⲛⲓⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲓⲅⲉⲛⲛⲉⲟⲥ ⲙⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲛϧⲣⲏⲓ ϧⲉⲛ
ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲫⲁⲛⲓⲩⲃⲉⲣⲓⲟⲥ
‘They pulled the martyrs’ bodies forth, one by one, and fastened them in bags. They changed their dress and put on the dress of the Persian Magi. They loaded the body of the blessed Iakobos and the bodies of the holy martyrs onto themselves and walked with them on a direct route for a 40 days journey. They came to Jerusalem and deposited the bodies of the saints and the body of the noble, holy martyr Iakobos in a monastery called Phaniuberious ('that of the Iberians').’
Peter, the bishop of Gaza (c. 417-491), a descendant of Iberian kings, was a monk at that monastery, he was referred to as 'Abba Peter, the lover of martyrs' (Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 53, lines 6–7: ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ
ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ).
Because of his anti-Chalcedonian position, Peter the Iberian left Jerusalem and went to Alexandria.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 53, lines 8–18:
ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲇⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲁⲣⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲕⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ ⲟⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲉⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲁϩⲥⲁϩⲛⲓ ⲉⲉⲣⲇⲓⲱⲕⲓⲛ ⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲓⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ
ⲛⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲟⲩⲟⲩⲁϩⲟⲩ ⲛⲥⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲟⲇⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲭⲁⲗⲕⲏⲇⲱⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲗⲉⲱⲛ ⲗⲟⲓⲡⲟⲛ
ⲁⲩϭⲟϫⲓ ⲛⲥⲁ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ ϩⲱϥ ⲡⲓⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲓ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ ϯⲙⲏⲧⲣⲟⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲃ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉϥⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ
ⲉϩⲁⲛⲓⲉⲣⲟⲥⲟⲗⲟⲙⲓⲧⲏⲥ ⲛⲉ ⲁⲩⲱⲗⲓ ⲛⲛⲓⲗⲩⲙⲯⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲉⲩⲭⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲁⲯⲁ ⲛϩⲁⲧ ⲁⲩⲉⲛⲟⲩ
ⲉⲟⲩⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲕⲱϯ ⲛⲣⲁⲕⲟϯ ⲁⲩⲭⲁⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ
‘And it happened at that time that Markianos was the Roman emperor [450-457]. He demanded to prosecute the orthodox bishops, because they did not follow the synod that had taken place in Chalcedon and the tome of Leo. Thus, Abba Peter himself was pursued. He reached Alexandria, the Egyptian metropolis. Two of his disciples, men from Jerusalem, collected the holy relics of saint Iakobos, lying in a silver casket, went to a monastery near Alexandria and deposited them there.’
But because Proterios, the archbishop of Alexandria, had orthodox (non-Chalcedonian) monks rounded up and ejected from their monasteries, Peter the Iberian decided to leave the monastery near Alexandria to return to Gaza, when Iakobos appeared to him in a vision asking him to go to Oxyrhynchos instead.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 54, lines 2–14:
ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲉϥⲙⲟⲕⲙⲉⲕ ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲣϣⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉϯⲡⲁⲗⲉⲥⲧⲓⲛⲏ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲁϣⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉϯⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲡⲉⲙϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲛⲧⲉⲕϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲓⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲟϩⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ
ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲡⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉⲑⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛϭⲁⲩⲙⲱⲓⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲧⲉⲕⲛⲁϣⲉ ⲛϧⲏⲧⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲧⲉⲕⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲟ ⲛⲛⲁⲕⲁⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉϯⲛⲁⲧⲁⲙⲟⲕ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲛⲭⲱⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲥⲁ ⲡⲉⲓⲉⲃⲧ ⲛϯⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲡⲉⲙϫⲉ ⲛⲁⲩⲉ ⲛⲥⲧⲁⲇⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲙ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲧⲁⲥⲡⲓ ⲛⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙ ⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ
‘While he (Peter) was considering these things, behold, saint Iakobos appeared to him. He said to him: “Do not go to Palestine, but rise and make your way to the city of Pemje [Oxyrhynchos] in Egypt, that place where you have been (all along). For I wish to stay there, just as the Lord wished to build a martyr shrine for me there. For it is I who shall be your guide on any path you shall walk, until you deposit my bones at the place which I will point out to you, in a small village east of the city of Pemje, about five stadia, called Paim in the Egyptian language.”’
Peter the Iberian left Alexandria accompanied by men carrying the bones of the saint. When he reached Oxyrhynchos, he stayed with a rich politeuomenos of the city, called Moyses, who hosted him with joy.
When Proterius, the patriarch of Alexandria, heard that Peter the Iberian was staying with Moyses at Oxyrhynchos, he sent soldiers to arrest him. Moyses then told Peter to hide at Paim, a place East of Oxyrhynchos owned by Moyses. The travellers took the martyr’s bones there and celebrated masses around him, when they had another vision of the martyr Iakobos and his companions, all in Persian dress resembling depictions of the prophet Daniel and the Three Holy Children, standing with the travellers and singing psalms.
Saint Iakobos told them that this was the place that was appointed to him as his burial site. He asked them to come a little further south of the village, where the promised martyr shrine should be built for him.
Ed. Balestri–Hyvernat, vol. 2, p. 56, lines 1–12:
ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲥⲁⲣⲏⲥ ⲙⲡⲓϯⲙⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲛⲧⲉⲕϣⲗⲏⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ϩⲱϯ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲑⲣⲟⲩⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁⲣⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ
ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲥⲉⲭⲱ ⲙⲡⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲛϧⲏⲧϥ ϫⲉ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲉϥⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲑⲉⲣⲁⲡⲓⲁ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⲙⲡϭⲥ ⲛϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲛϧⲏⲧϥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲥⲉⲧⲱⲃϩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲛ
ⲁϥⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲥⲛⲏⲟⲩ ⲁⲩϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲁⲩⲉⲣⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲍⲓⲛ ⲙⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲟⲥ
ⲁϥⲭⲁ ⲡⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲙⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲙⲙⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲡⲁⲧⲟⲩⲕⲉⲧ ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲅⲁⲣ
ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ
‘Arise and come a bit south of the village where you have prayed. For it is fitting to have a martyrion built there for me and to have my body placed in it, so that it shall become a cure for anyone who will come there in the Lord and will pray in my name.”
The saint came forth with the brothers. They prayed and our father Abba Peter made the sign of the cross over the earth of that place and put the body of the holy martyr Iakobos in that spot as a short term dwelling place, since the shrine (topos) had not yet been bu
History
Evidence ID
E07053Saint Name
Jacob/James the Dismembered, martyr of Persia under Bahram V, ob. 421 : S01660Saint Name in Source
ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲉⲣⲥⲏⲥRelated Saint Records
Type of Evidence
Literary - Hagiographical - Accounts of martyrdomLanguage
- Coptic