GIACOMO I'INTERCISO, saint. — Persian martyr, called the Interciso because he was torn limb from limb. He is mentioned in Latin, Greek, Coptic, Armenian and, foremost, Syriac acts (ed. P. Bedjan, Acta martyrum, II, Paris 1891, pp. 539–58), which agree in reporting that G. was born into a noble family in the Persian city of Bêt Lâpat and later became an official of the emperor Jazdagird I (399–420). After his death, G., at the instigation of Bahram V, apostatized from Christianity, but, prompted by his mother and wife, came to his senses. The Emperor then, around 421, had him cut to pieces.
The Coptic tradition places his tomb near Penelje. His relics are said to have been transported to Braga, and his head (1103) to the Cormery abbey near Tours. The account of the acts presents certain historical difficulties. Feast: 27 November.
Ignazio Ortiz de Urbina