The Legend of James of Borovichi
Religious Fables, Folklore, Legends, and Stories
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Submitted by: Yuri Klitsenko

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 Borovichi (in Novgorod district), and on this block of ice stood the coffin (made from an oak log) without cover, in which the body of the youth lay.

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Shunning the holy relics, peasants with poles pushed the block of ice back into the river, but it returned to the shore. This was repeated three times.

That night the youth appeared in a dream to the elders of the village, who had seen him upon the ice-flow, and said, "I am also a Christian just like you. Don't push me away. My name is James. I am the namesake of St James, the Brother of God."

The relics of the holy youth were first placed in a chapel, then in 1544 were transferred to the Descent of the Holy Spirit church. The Lord, having glorified his God-pleasing one, granted the relics of St James a curative power.

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