GIACOMO I'INTERCISO, Saint. — Persian martyr, called "Interciso" because he was torn limb from limb. Latin, Greek, Coptic, Armenian, and above all Syriac acts speak of him (ed. P. Bedjan, Acta martyrum, II, Paris 1891, pp. 539-58), which agree in relating that G. was born of a noble family in the Persian city of Bet Làpat and later served as an official under the emperor Yazdgard I (399-420). After the latter's death, G., instigated by Bahram V, apostatized from Christianity, but, persuaded by his mother and wife, he repented. The emperor then, c. 421, had him torn to pieces.
Coptic tradition places his tomb near Pemble. His relics are said to have been transferred to Braga, and his head (1103) to the abbey of Cormery near Tours. The narrative of the acts raises some historical difficulties. Feast day: November 27.
Ignazio Ortiz de Urbina