Venerable Martyrs of Athos James and His Disciples, Hierodeacon James and Monk Dionysius (†1520) — November 1 / November 14 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, November 1 according to the Julian Calendar (November 14 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Venerable Martyrs of Athos: James and his disciples, Hierodeacon James and the monk Dionysius.

The holy venerable martyr James received monastic tonsure on Mount Athos. He settled in the deserted Iberian (Georgian) skete of Saint John the Baptist, restored it, and took up the ascetic struggle under the guidance of the elder Ignatius. Through tireless labours the chosen one of the Lord attained such purity of soul that he was granted divine visions: like the Apostle Paul, he too was shown the blessedness of the Kingdom of Heaven and the torments of hell. By a gift from on high the saint clearly perceived the hidden intentions and thoughts of everyone who came to him, and the Lord also granted him the gift of working miracles.

Having gone with his disciples to Aetolia, blessed James worked many miracles there: he healed the sick and instructed all. Countless people gathered around the saint. Ill-wishers denounced the venerable father to the Turkish authorities, claiming that he was gathering the people around him and could even stir up a rebellion. The tormentors used these false rumours as a pretext and demanded that the blessed one renounce the Orthodox faith. In reply, Saint James and both his disciples — Hierodeacon James and the monk Dionysius — firmly confessed Christ. For this they endured prolonged torture at the hands of the godless, and at last, on November 1, 1520, they commended their souls to the Lord through suffering. The holy relics of the venerable martyrs, glorified by miracles, were enshrined in the Monastery of Saint Anastasia (commemorated December 22) in the village of Galatista, near Thessalonica.