Saint Yacoub M’fasquo

James Intercisus (Latin: Jacobus Intercisus; born in Beth Huzaye, died 27 November 420 AD in Beth Lapat), commonly known as Mor Yaqoub M’Pasqo Sahada (Syriac: ܡܪ ܝܥܩܘܒ ܡܦܣܩܐ ܣܗܕܐ, romanized: Mor Yaqōb M'pasqō Saḥāda), also called James the Mutilated, James the Persian or Jacob the Persian (also known in Cyprus as Akouphos), was a Christian saint born in Beth Huzaye in the city of Beth Lapat. His Latin epithet, Intercisus (or Pasqo in Syriac), is derived from the word for "cut into pieces," which refers to the manner of his martyrdom. His death, along with the persecution of other Christians in the Sasanid Empire, started the Roman-Sassanid War (421-422). Tradition states that he was a military officer and courtier to Yazdegerd I who had apostatized after this ruler began to persecute Christians. He lived under the rule of Yazdgerd's successor, Bahram V, who heavily persecuted Christians. Under the influence of his Christian family, however, he expressed his faith to Bahram V, leading to his execution. He was killed in Beth Lapat (Gundishapur). The ruins of this city are near Dezful, Iran. At his execution, he survived the loss of limbs until he was beheaded. His followers requested to receive his remains as relics, but this request was denied; according to some they went on to steal them, after which they were sent to the Portuguese cathedral of Braga and put into a sarcophagus in the Relics Chapel. James' story is recounted in The Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine. According to Katherine Rabenstein, he may be a composite character of James of Beit (who, having renounced Christianity under Yazdegerd, was shamed by his parents and changed his mind, becoming a martyr under the persecution of Bahram); Mar Peros (similarly shamed by his parents and martyred in 448); and James of Karka (a 20-year-old notary to Bahram, tortured alongside many others after casually remarking that he'd rather be cut into pieces than renounce God).