Venerable James the Hermit (+457)

The Venerable James the Hermit laboured in Syria in the fifth century. While still young he withdrew from this world, and mastered the rules of the ascetic life first under the guidance of the Venerable Zebinas (commemorated 23 February) and then of Saint Maron (commemorated 14 February). With his teacher’s blessing the blessed James shut himself up in a small hut, where he laboured in complete solitude for several years; then he settled on a desolate and barren mountain and began to live under the open sky. The saint patiently bore the scorching heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter. Having undertaken this unusual labour, the ascetic prayed unceasingly. His food was only barley soaked in water. While living on the mountain the holy father wore fetters made in such a way that they forced him to be constantly bent double. The evil spirits attacked the great ascetic furiously, but the blessed one courageously beat off their assaults. The Lord granted His God-pleaser the gifts of healing the sick, casting out unclean spirits and raising the dead. Saint James became famous throughout the East. Countless people afflicted with pains of soul and body went to him to ask for help. The Lord’s chosen one reposed in 457.