Passio armeniaca Iacobi minoris, fratris Domini
Standard abbreviation: Mart. Jas. (Arm.)
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 816; CANT 277
Category: Apocryphal Acts
Related literature: Eusebius of Caesarea, Historia ecclesiastica 2.23.3–20
Compiled by Tony Burke, York University
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Martyrdom of James, Brother of the Lord (Armenian).” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/martyrdom-of-james-brother-of-the-lord-armenian/.
Created January 2023. Current as of January 2024.
1. SUMMARY
The text can be divided into two sections: a discussion of how James is the brother of Jesus (chs. 2–4), followed by an excerpt of the account of James’ martyrdom by Hegesippus via Eusebius (chs. 5–7). The first chapter draws upon the description of James from Eusebius, Hist. eccl. 2.23.6.
According to the text, the four sons of Joseph (Mark 6:3; Matt 13:55) were conceived with Mary’s aunt, identified here as “Mary, the mother of James and Joses” (Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1; Matt 27:56, 61; Luke 24:10). As a result, James is said to be brother of Jesus in four ways: kinship through the tribe of Judah through David, kinship through the relationship between their mothers, they were milk-brothers (the mother of James nursed Jesus), and they were alike in “size, bearing, and gesture.” The author states also that Jesus spent his first year in the house of James’ mother, which would mean Joseph was married to two women at the same time; however, the text never calls Joseph Mary’s husband, suggesting that he was merely her guardian. Unlike other traditions that take pains to identify James with the apostle James, son of Alphaeus, this text emphasizes the brotherhood of James as reason enough to honor him. Furthermore, it states that Peter appointed him bishop of Jerusalem (a position he held for 30 years), and it is James who sent out both the 12 and the 70 on their preaching journeys.
The second half of the text (chs. 5–7) continues Eusebius’ quotation of Hegesippus, covering Hist. eccl. 23.3.10–18 but without mention of James’ burial nor the connection made between James’ death and the siege of Jerusalem by Vespasian.
Named historical figures and characters: Anna (mother of Mary), David (king), Gabriel (angel), James (the Righteous), Jesus Christ, John (the Baptist), Joseph (of Nazareth), Judas/Jude (brother of Jesus), Mary (Virgin), Mary (mother of James), Matthan, Peter (apostle), Rechab, Samuel (prophet), Simon (brother of Jesus), Simon (the Canaanite/Zealot).
Geographical locations: Jerusalem, temple (Jerusalem).
2. RESOURCES
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Armenian
3.1.1.1 Martyrdom of James, Brother of the Lord (BHO 401)
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arm. 110, fols. 597–598, 565v–566v (2 copies) (1194)
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arm. 115, fols. 151r–152r (13th cent.)
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arm. 118, fol. 109 (1307)
Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arm. 120, fol. 268r (14th cent.)
Venice, Biblioteca dei Padri Mechitaristi San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 201 (olim 1014), fols. 55r–56v (12th/13th cent.)
Venice, Biblioteca dei Padri Mechitaristi San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 228 (olim 663), fols. 295r–296v (12th/13th cent.)
Venice, Biblioteca dei Padri Mechitaristi San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 223 (olim 1447) (15th cent.)
Vienna, Mechitarist Library, 224, fol. 68r (1428)
Yerevan, Matenadaran, M993, fols. 687v–688v
Tchérakian, Chérubin. Ankanon girkh arakhelakankh: Thankgaran haykakan hin ew nor deprutheankh. Venice: Òazar, 1904 (edition based on Venice 223, pp. 449–52).
3.1.1.2 Synaxarion
Bayan, George. “Les synaxaire arménien de ter-Israel III: Mois de Sahmi.” Patrologia Orientalis 15.3 (1920): 295–438 (entry for October 23 contains only the Hegesippus account, including mention of James’ burial, pp. 361–65).
Bayan, George. “Les synaxaire arménien de ter-Israel V: Mois de Kalotz.” Patrologia Orientalis 18 (1924): 3–208 (entry for December 25 includes brief summary of the Hegesippus account, p. 103; restatement of portions of Hegesippus with comments about James being ordained by Jesus and being responsible for the change of the focus of the church’’s mission from Jews to Gentiles, pp. 116–17).
3.2 Modern Translations
3.2.1 French
Leloir, Louis. Écrits apocryphes sur les apôtres. CCSA 3–4. 2 vols. Turnhout: Brepols, 1986–1992 (translation of Armenian text from Tchérakian, vol. 2, pp. 676–80 with introduction, pp. 667–75).
3.3 General Works
Voicu, Sever J. “Gli apocrifi armeni.” Augustinianum 23 (1983): 161–80 (p. 176).