St. Ap. Jacob, relative of the Lord, the first bishop of Jerusalem; Holy Martyr Priest Constantin Sârbu; St. Cuv. Macarie the Romantranslated

Orthodox calendar, October 23 St. Ap. Jacob, relative of God This Saint James, called the brother of the Lord (Galatians 1, 19), was the first bishop of Jerusalem. He is not part of the 12 Apostles of the Lord, but of the 70, and he was called the brother of the Lord, like Saints Simeon (Simon), Judas and Josias (Matthew 13, 55).

From the research of the Holy Scriptures it is shown that these brothers of the Lord Jesus are not the sons of the Virgin Mary, but cousins ​​of Jesus, or relatives. That is why Jacob is also called God's relative. The tradition of the Church also shows that Jacob, the brother of the Lord, is someone else than Jacob of Alphaeus and Jacob of Zebedee.

Although he was not among the 12 Apostles, Jacob believed in Christ, and after His Resurrection Jesus appeared to him in a special way (1 Corinthians 15, 7). Tradition shows that the Lord Himself, on this occasion, appointed him archpastor of the faithful in Jerusalem and revealed to him the mysteries of the Christian liturgical service.

As the archpastor of the Christians in Jerusalem and a relative of the Lord, Saint Jacob was much loved by the people and glorified for his piety and austere life. That is why he was allowed to pray in the church with the priests.

For a long time…