Saint Righteous Jacob, the Wonderworker of Borvichi, is the patron saint of the city of Borvichi in the Novgorod region. His memory is celebrated on November 5, when Orthodox Christians around the world offer prayers to this saint.
In 1452, during the spring flood, a miraculous event occurred on the Msta River: the body of a youth was found on an ice floe, which the locals initially took for that of a drowned person. However, after a night vision in which the youth introduced himself as Jacob, the residents realized that this was the holy relic. They reverently retrieved it from the water and built a shrine for it.
For 93 years, the relics of Saint Jacob bestowed gracious healings upon all who approached them with faith. In 1544, at the request of the residents, Archbishop Theodosius of Novgorod permitted the opening of the relics, which led to miracles and healings.
In 1654, the relics of the saint were transferred to the Iver Monastery on Lake Valdai by the blessing of Patriarch Nikon.
The miracles of Saint Jacob are described in the book "The Tale of Saint Righteous Jacob, the Wonderworker of Borvichi." At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the saint appeared to a believing elder in a dream and said that the city would be saved if the faithful walked around it three times with a cross and the icon of the saint. This was done, and the city of Borvichi was not harmed by the war.
