Saint Martyr James (born Yakov Ivanovich Maskaev) was born on October 13, 1879, in the city of Uralsk, into a peasant family. In 1901, he graduated from the Orenburg Theological Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood. He devoted himself to preaching the Gospel and built a new church in the village of Zobovo. In 1905, he was recognized for his dedicated ministry, while in 1909 he oversaw the construction of a parish school building.
During the First World War, Fr. James organized charitable collections to support the needs of the Russian army. In 1923, he was nominated to become Metropolitan of Orsk, but he humbly declined the position, explaining that his duty was to remain in active pastoral ministry and care for the orphanes. After becoming a monk, he took the name James and was consecrated as a bishop.
He served in the Diocese of Orenburg until the wave of religious persecution began. In 1925, he was arrested and sentenced to three years of exile. Following his release, he resumed his ministry with unwavering dedication. However, in 1930, he was arrested again and sentenced to three years of imprisonment in a labor camp.
In 1932, he was exiled to the Ural Mountains, where he remained for three years. In 1933, he was appointed to the Diocese of Barnaul, where he earned the love and respect of his flock through his courage, compassion and inspiring preaching. In 1936, he was arrested once more on charges of counter-revolutionary activity.
Throughout the interrogations, Saint New Martyr James preserved his dignity and remained steadfast in his faith. With remarkable courage, he consistently proclaimed his innocence. His life was marked by suffering and relentless trials, yet he overcame every hardship through his unwavering trust in God. To this day, he remains a powerful example of steadfast faith, spiritual fortitude and wholehearted devotion to Christ.
