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| Sts. John the Bishop and James the Presbyter (Feast Day - November 1) |
Verses
Along with James the priest of Christ, a sword
John bore, himself a Priest of Christ.
The Holy Hieromartyrs John the Bishop and James the Presbyter lived during the reign of King Shapur II (309-379), who was a fierce persecutor of Christians. In the year 332, while teaching to the pious the words of faith, and having converted many unbelievers to piety, for this reason they were arrested and brought before Shapur II. Having confessed their Christian faith, they were handed over to be tortured in order to force them to accept Zoroastrianism, but remaining steadfast in their faith, they were ordered to be decapitated with the sword. Thus they delivered their souls into the hands of God, and received from Him the crown of martyrdom.