Righteous Jakov (James) of Borovich
Commemorated on May 22, October 23
Righteous Iakov
(James) Borovich, Novgorod Wonderworker, in his youth took upon himself the
ardous task of fool-for-Christ. Most of the details of his life are unknown.
The Lord glorified him after death. In the year 1540, on the third day of
Pascha, a large block of ice floated up against the current along the River
Msta to the village of Borovich (in Novgorod district), and on this block of
ice stood the coffin (an oaken log) without cover, upon which lay the body of
the youth. Shunning their responsibility, peasants with poles shoved the block
of ice to mid-stream, but it returned to the shore. This was repeated three
times. By night the youth appeared in a dream to the elders of the village, who
had seen him upon the ice-floe, and said: "I too am a Christian just like
ye. Push me not away. My name is Iakov, and I received my name in honour of
Saint Iakov (James), Brother of the Lord".
The relics of the
holy lad were at first placed in a chapel, and in 1544 transferred to the Holy
Spirit church. Then was established a festal celebration to him. The Lord,
having glorified his God-pleasing one, granted the relics of Saint Iakov a
curative power. A feastday with matins was established in 1572. In the
Iconographic Originals it says about Saint Iakov: "The likeness of a lad,
bare, girded with a piece of cloth". In 1657 Patriarch Nikon dispatched
part of the relics to Valdai, to the Iversk monastery.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.
