James the Deacon

Saint James the Deacon lived in the seventh century and was the helper of Saint Paulinus of York in evangelizing the north of England.

After the death of King Edwin (633) the northern kingdom went through many trials: defeats, famine and plague. The year 633-634 was so hard that it was called "the Hateful Year". Paulinus withdrew to Kent, accompanying Queen Ethelburga, Edwin's widow, but left James in the north to care for the new converts. James was called "faithful and undismayed", although the secular power that had supported the Church had been overthrown. He did not abandon the people and did not cease his missionary work. He settled near the village of Catterick in Yorkshire and taught, comforted and strengthened his flock, winning many to Christ.

He had a gift for music and knew the Roman chants composed by Saint Gregory the Dialogist, then used in Kent. He taught them to the Christians of the north, so that when peace returned and the churches reopened, their services were adorned with these chants. It is not known when he died, but he is believed to have lived at least thirty years after the Hateful Year and to have taken part in the Synod of Whitby in 664. He does not seem to have been ordained a priest, but through his tireless labours he built up the Church in the north. Saint Bede calls him a man of great energy and good repute in the Church of Christ.

He is commemorated on 18 October.