YEREVAN (Armenpress)–December 16 is the day the Armenian Apostolic Church will commemorate the sacred feast dedicated to the memory of St. James of Nisibis.
That day–upon the pontifical order and blessing of Catholicos Karekin II–the relics of the Saint will be taken from the treasury of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin to the Church of St. James–in Kanaker district–Yerevan–in an ecclesiastic procession.
The relics will be placed on the Holy Altar of the Church for the worship and consolation of the faithful. A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in the church by Bishop Navasard Ktchoyan–Vicar General of Araratian Patriarchal Diocese.
St. James of Nisibis is said to have had the divine vision of climbing Mount Ararat–where he found sacred relics of Noah’s Ark–which he presented to the Armenian people. He was one of the clergymen who participated in the Nicene Council and one of the most beloved saints of the Armenian Church. He was the nephew of St. Gregory the Illuminator and together with him had been raised and educated in Caesaria.
Gregory of Narek has dedicated a hymn to St. James of Nisibis. His name is mentioned in the book entitled "The Wise"–which has been translated from Assyrian in the 5th century. On the day of the feast–two other prominent figures are also commemorated. The first of them–Hermit Marougue–prophesized the ascension of St. James to the throne of Nisibis–and the other–Bishop Melitos of Antioch–ordained and anointed him. The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the Feast of St. James of Nisibis on the Sunday between December 12-18.