The day of memory of the holy apostle Jacob is celebrated on November 5. Believers consider this date very important. Jacob was the brother of the Lord and belonged to the seventy apostles of Christ. According to ancient legends, St. James led a very strict life, devoid of any joys and extravagances. Most of the time, the man prayed and fasted. He drank only water, never drank wine, did not eat meat, milk, butter. Jacob wore an old haircoat made of coarse cloth and carried the Word of God to the people.

From long prayers, the skin on Jacob’s knees became hard, like a camel. By his example of pious life, the apostle managed to attract many Jews to Christianity, he was elected the first bishop of the Jerusalem Church. Saint James caused the displeasure of the scribes and Pharisees with his teaching and faith, who planned to kill him. They brought Jacob to the top of the temple and threatened to throw him off the roof if he did not deny the Savior. But the apostle did not do this, on the contrary, he began to tell loudly that Christ is the real Messiah. The Jewish teachers deposed the righteous man, but Jacob did not die immediately, but continued to pray. Then the apostle was stoned. Therefore, for his righteous life and true faith in God, Jacob was called the Holy Martyr, the Apostle.