Saint James the Syrian
Saint James the Syrian (died c. 475 AD near Cyrrhus, Syria Euphratensis, modern Turkey/Syria) was a Syrian monk and ascetic who came from Mesopotamia to settle near Cyrrhus in Syria, where he lived in severe austerity. He is recorded by Theodoret of Cyrrhus in the Historia Religiosa (History of the Monks of Syria), which is the primary source for his life. He was known for extreme fasting and unceasing prayer. His feast day is July 26.
Stored in Cargo: Saint James the Syrian
| Saint James the Syrian | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | July 26 |
| Profession | Monk; ascetic; hermit |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Eastern Christian tradition; Syrian monk; 5th-century ascetic recorded by Theodoret of Cyrrhus |
| Patronage | Monks; ascetics; Mesopotamia; Syria |
| Attributes | Monk's tunic; chains (Syrian ascetic practice); Syrian desert |
| Birthplace | Mesopotamia (modern Iraq/Turkey border region) |
| Death Place | Near Cyrrhus, Syria Euphratensis (modern Kürt Dağı area, Turkey/Syria border region) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died near Cyrrhus c. 475 AD after many years of ascetic life |
| Primary Shrine | No surviving physical shrine; memory preserved in Theodoret's Historia Religiosa |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman Calendar; feast July 26; observed in Eastern Churches and in some martyrologies |
| Historic Class | Not in universal 1962 calendar; observed in Eastern tradition |
Biography
James the Syrian is one of the monks recorded by Theodoret of Cyrrhus in his Historia Religiosa (History of the Monks of Syria, c. 444 AD) — a collection of thirty biographies of Syrian ascetics whom Theodoret knew personally or had reliable information about. This work is one of the most important sources for the history of Syrian monasticism.
James came from Mesopotamia (modern Iraq/Turkey region) and settled near Cyrrhus in northern Syria, where Theodoret was bishop. He lived in extreme austerity — fasting, standing prayer, chains, and minimal sleep — in the tradition of Syrian asceticism, which was more physically severe than the Egyptian desert tradition. He was sought for his counsel and intercession by those who visited him.
He died around 475 AD near Cyrrhus. His feast is observed on July 26.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Mesopotamia (modern Iraq/Turkey border region)
Death location: Near Cyrrhus, Syria Euphratensis (modern Kürt Dağı area, Turkey/Syria border region)
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Feast day
July 26
Veneration
Saint James the Syrian is venerated with a feast day on July 26 in Eastern Christian traditions. He is known through Theodoret of Cyrrhus's Historia Religiosa.
Prayers
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