ST. JAMES (HAGOP) OF NISIBIS St. Hagop is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian Church (and also in the Syriac Church). Gregory of Nareg dedicated one of his hymns to him. St. James (Soorp Hagop) of Nisibis (modern day Nusbyien in southeastern Turkey), was an important early Christian center in Asia Minor and a transit point of the caravans traveling east and west. St. Hagop was educated in Caesarea and was a cousin of St. Gregory the Illuminator. St. Hagop is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian Church (and also in the Syriac Church). He lived a very pious life, in Nisibis, where he subjected himself to the very rigorous life of hermits of the times. St. Hagop is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian Church (and also in the Syriac Church). He was an erudite theologian. He participated in the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, in the year 325, when 318 high-ranking church leaders set forth the Articles of Faith known as the Nicene Creed. We solemnly chant the Creed at every Divine Liturgy as a formal declaration of faith that has united Christians throughout the world for more than two thousand years. We affirm that our own faith is rooted and nourished by the One, Universal Apostolic holy Church with Jesus Christ as its head (Colossians 1:18). In order to demonstrate the truth of the Bible St. Hagop tried to reach the summit of Mt. Ararat, and to find remains of Noah’s Ark. As tradition has it, a God-sent angel, admiring the strong faith and perseverance of the patriarch in his hallowed quest, handed him the fragment, which today is on display in a golden triptych in the repository of treasures at Etchmiadzin. Armenians in large communities in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and the United States have churches named for the Patriarch. Those parishes celebrate the Feast of St. James with great ceremony, and with the blessing of “matagh”. The feast occurs on a Saturday in mid-December. The same day, according to tradition, provides the occasion where in individual homes there is a member of the family named James (Jacob, Jaques, Hacob, or Hagop), joyful celebrations are with friends and relatives, to congratulate the honoree. “And we with a joyful voice celebrate your holy memory, O venerable witness of Christ, holy bishop James; we have you as intercessor for us before the Father in heaven. “You decided on severe toils to see Noah’s Ark and from the angel’s hands received a portion of the wood which served the human race as salvation; we have you as intercessor for us before the Father in heaven.” I wholeheartedly congratulate your name day, and wish you and your family success and good health. Prayerfully, Most. Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian Dean
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 00:39:47 +0000