St. Shenouda Podcast: - The Unwavering Faith of St. James the Mangled

Join us for a powerful episode as we delve into the inspiring life and steadfast martyrdom of St. James the Persian, also known as St. James 'the Mangled' (Sawn). Commemorated on December 7th (Hator 27 in the Coptic calendar), St. James's story is a testament to unshakeable faith amidst unimaginable tribulation.

Once a prominent soldier in the Persian King Sakrod's army, St. James rose to the highest ranks due to his courage and uprightness, becoming a close confidant to the king. However, this close relationship led him astray, as the king influenced him to abandon his Christian faith and worship idols like fire and the sun.

His path to repentance began with a heartfelt letter from his mother, wife, and sister, urging him to return to Christ, warning that they would disown him if he persisted in his newfound beliefs. Deeply moved, St. James wept, recognized his grave sin, resigned from the king's service, and devoted himself to studying the holy books.

The enraged king summoned him, and seeing his unwavering conviction, ordered a brutal torture. Soldiers mercilessly cut off his fingers, hands, legs, and arms. Yet, with each severed limb, St. James did not waver; instead, he praised the Lord, crying out, "Have mercy upon me O Lord according to Your great compassion" (Psalm 50:1).

As only his head, breast, and loins remained, he offered a profound prayer for the world and apologized to God, saying, "I have neither legs to stand before Thee, nor hands to lift up to Thee, behold the parts of my body have been cast around me, O Lord receive my soul". The Lord Christ appeared to him, comforting and strengthening his soul before he ultimately received the crown of martyrdom by decapitation.

Discover the miraculous journey of his relics, which believers took to Jerusalem and later to Egypt, where St. James himself appeared to monks, commanding his body to remain there.

This episode reminds us that even in the face of the most gruesome suffering, our faith in Christ can be strengthened, serving as a powerful lesson to rely on Him during our own times of tribulation. Tune in to explore the incredible resilience and devotion of St. James the Mangled.