Feast of Saint James the Apostle

July 25

Saint James the Greater was one of the first apostles called by Jesus and the first apostle to be martyred. He is the patron saint of Spain and one of the most venerated saints in Christendom.

Son of Zebedee

James was the son of Zebedee and the older brother of John the Evangelist. Together with Peter, these brothers formed Jesus' inner circle, present at the most intimate moments of his ministry:

• The raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37)
• The Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (Matthew 17:1)
• The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37)

"Sons of Thunder"

Jesus gave James and John the nickname "Boanerges"—Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17). This may reflect their fiery temperaments. When a Samaritan village refused to receive Jesus:

"When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, 'Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky and destroy them, just as Elijah did?'" — Luke 9:54

Jesus rebuked them, but their zeal, properly channeled, would serve the Gospel.

Seeking Greatness

James and John (or their mother, in Matthew's account) asked Jesus for the highest positions in his kingdom:

"They said to him, 'Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.'" — Mark 10:37

Jesus asked if they could drink the cup he would drink. They said yes. He replied that they would indeed—a prophecy fulfilled in James's martyrdom.

First Apostolic Martyr

James holds the distinction of being the first apostle to be martyred:

"Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword." — Acts 12:1-2

This occurred around AD 44, making James the only apostle whose death is recorded in the New Testament.

Santiago de Compostela

Tradition holds that before his death, James preached in Spain. His relics are believed to be enshrined in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage sites. The Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) has drawn pilgrims for over a thousand years.

Legacy

James teaches us that zeal for Christ, when purified by grace, leads to faithful witness even unto death. He drank the cup Christ drank and shares in his glory.