Saint Martyr Jacob (in the world Jacob Ivanovich Maskayev) was born on October 13, 1879, in the city of Uralsk to a peasant family. In 1901, he graduated from the Orenburg Theological Seminary and was ordained as a priest. He actively preached and built a new church in the village of Zobovo. In 1905, he was awarded a commendation, and in 1909, he built the building for the church-parish school.
During World War I, he collected donations for the needs of the army. In 1923, he was elected a candidate for the Orsk diocese, but he refused the rank of bishop, citing the care for his orphaned children. After being tonsured into monasticism with the name Jacob, he was ordained as a bishop.
Bishop Jacob actively served in the Orenburg diocese, but soon faced persecution. In 1925, he was arrested and sentenced to three years of exile. After his release, he continued to serve, but in 1930, he was arrested again and sentenced to three years in a concentration camp.
In 1932, he was sent into exile in the Urals for three years, but his records were lost. In 1933, he received an appointment to the Barnaul diocese, where he earned the love of his flock through his courage and sermons. In 1936, he was arrested again, accused of counter-revolutionary activities and enrolled in a group preparing a rebellion against the Soviet government.
Archbishop Jacob maintained dignity during interrogations and did not admit guilt. His life was filled with suffering for his faith, and he became a symbol of steadfastness and devotion to Christ.
