Our venerable father Jacob struggled on the mountain, having neither bed, nor cell, nor covering. He suffered from a severe illness, yet continued to instruct those who came to him. His food was boiled lentils, which he ate in the evening. Through his labors, he received the gift of raising the dead. Once, he resurrected a boy at the request of his father, who was weeping.
Saint Jacob endured many temptations from demons, driving them away with prayer. One man brought him water, but the devil, taking his form, hindered him. The saint, seeing the water brought, asked about the delay and instructed not to give the vessel until he came to him.
Thus, struggling, he became a great miracle worker and departed to the Lord with joy.
Venerable Jacob the hermit lived near Kyra in Syria in the 5th century, his death is dated to the year 457.
