One of the Seventy, the son of Joseph—the betrothed of the Most Holy Virgin—he is known as the "Brother of the Lord." Upon hearing Christ’s teachings, he began to live according to them. It is said that he subsisted solely on bread and water, and remained a virgin his entire life. He spent his nights in prayer to God. He served as the Bishop of Jerusalem for 30 years. By the Lord’s direction, he composed the first Divine Liturgy. Even the unbelieving Jews referred to him as "James the Just." During the feast of Passover, the high priest Ananus, together with the Jewish elders, instructed him to climb onto the roof and speak against Christ. Instead, he climbed up and began to speak about Christ, whereupon they pushed him off the roof. A man then approached and struck him on the head with such force that his brains were spilled out. Saint James was 63 years old when he suffered for the Lord.

Saint Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople. Holy Martyr James of Borovichi.