St. Jacob, the dismembered/mutilated (Mor Yac'ub M’fasqo)

St. Jacob, the dismembered/mutilated (Mor Yac'ub M’fasqo)

May 17th is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Jacob, the dismembered/mutilated +422 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Yac'ub M’fasqo (St. Jacob the Persian or St. Jacob Intercisus) who was a Persian, lived in the town of Lopoth with his parents. The king of the country, Guharon, had great appreciation for Yac'ub. On knowing that he was a Christian, the king tried to dissuade him from following his belief by tempting him with gifts. This caused Yac'ub to turn away from God. Mor Yac'ub's parents appealed to him through a letter not to give up the true faith, Christianity. He repented & returned to the Christian belief. After the death of King Guharon, his son Yazdegerd was informed about his change of heart & the new king questioned Yac'ub about it. He informed the king, “Our Saviour has promised a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God” (John 16:2). Your feeling that you respect God is itself a folly. The king was furious listening to him & ordered his ministers to decide a punishment for him. This was the verdict, “He should not be killed all of a sudden. First his fingers, toes, then his hands, legs & hip should be severed. He should be beheaded after being dismembered thus”. Many believers were grieved to hear this verdict. They prayed, ”Oh God the mighty, strengthen him, this servant of yours to escape from this trial with success.” Yac'ub requested some time for prayer before the callous punishment was implemented. He knelt down turning towards the east & prayed, "Oh God, please listen to this weak servant. Strengthen me at this moment. Bless me to be a friend & comforter to those who love you & receive persecution in your name.” The executioners then chopped off his fingers & toes. He kept on praying even while enduring severe pain. The tormentors slowly cut off his feet, then his lower limbs, followed by his hands and upper limbs. But St. Jacob was not dismayed instead he boldly exclaimed, "I will praise God till my last breath.” Finally, he was decapitated by the persecutors. Thus Mor Yac'ub M’fasqo attained the crown of martyrdom. Faithful Christian believers carried off his body & buried it while reciting Psalm 51. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Yac'ub M’fasqo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. Vat. LXIX