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Apostle1st century

Apostle James Brother of Saint John the Theologian

1st century, died c. 44

Also known as James, son of Zebedee · James the Greater

One of the Twelve, a fisherman of Galilee and brother of John the Theologian, called by the Lord among the first; he was the first of the apostles to be martyred, beheaded by Herod Agrippa.

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Commemorated as

The Holy Apostle James, Brother of Saint John the Theologian

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Missionary Work

Life

James, the son of Zebedee, was a fisherman of Galilee and one of the Twelve Apostles, the elder brother of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian. According to the Gospel account, he and John were at work by the sea with their father Zebedee when the Lord called them, and they left their nets to follow Him. The Orthodox Church commemorates him on April 30, and distinguishes him from the other apostolic figures who bore the name James: James the Brother of the Lord, the first bishop of Jerusalem, and James the son of Alphaeus.

With Peter and his brother John, James belonged to the inner circle of the Twelve who were present at three pivotal moments of the Lord's earthly ministry: the raising of the daughter of Jairus, the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and the Lord's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Gospel of Mark records that Jesus gave the two brothers the name Boanerges, that is, 'Sons of Thunder' (Mark 3:17), a designation traditionally associated with the fervor of their temperament.

According to the tradition received in the synaxarion, after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost James preached in Spain and in other lands before returning to Jerusalem, where he proclaimed Christ boldly and disputed with the religious authorities. The Acts of the Apostles records that Herod Agrippa, who reigned from 40 to 44, had James put to death by the sword (Acts 12:1-2). He was beheaded at Jerusalem in the year 44 and is honored as the first of the Twelve Apostles to die a martyr's death.

Customs & Traditions

The brother of St John the Theologian and the first of the Twelve to be martyred; his feast is a name-day for James and Iakovos.

Kontakion & Troparion3 hymnsReadHide

KontakionTone 2

You heard the divine voice when it called to you, O glorious James;
therefore, casting off the love of father, friends, and companions,
together with your brother John, you hastened to Christ,
and you were worthy to behold the divine Transfiguration of the Lord.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 8

As a soldier of the Lord you were ranked among the choir of Apostles.
Together with your brother, O James, you clung wholeheartedly to the Savior.
Armed with the power of the Spirit you proclaimed Him to all, and were slain by the sword.
Therefore, we sing your praises.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

TroparionTone 3

You were a chosen Apostle of Christ
and the only brother of the beloved Theologian.
O most praised James, entreat Him to grant the remission of sins and great mercy
to those who sing hymns to you.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Contributions & Legacy

3 contributionsReadHide

Calling and Inner Circle

James and John were sons of Zebedee, a fisherman of Galilee, and were themselves engaged in their father's trade when the Lord summoned them to follow Him. Together with the Apostle Peter, the two brothers formed an inner group among the Twelve who were admitted to events from which the other apostles were absent.

These three alone witnessed the raising of the daughter of Jairus, beheld the Lord's Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and remained near Him during His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. The name Boanerges, 'Sons of Thunder,' which the Lord gave to James and John, is recorded in the Gospel of Mark and is understood in the tradition as a reference to the zeal and fervor of the two brothers.

Preaching and Martyrdom

By the account preserved in the synaxarion, after Pentecost James preached in Spain and in other lands and then returned to Jerusalem, where he openly confessed Christ and contended with those who opposed him. The OCA tradition relates that a sorcerer named Hermogenes, sent to dispute with the apostle, was instead converted, burned his books of magic, and received holy Baptism.

The Acts of the Apostles records that Herod Agrippa, at the urging of those hostile to the apostle, had James seized and executed by the sword. The synaxarion adds that one of those who accused or guarded him, named Josiah, was so moved by the apostle's courage that he too confessed Christ and was beheaded together with James in the year 44 at Jerusalem. James is thus remembered as the first of the Twelve to be martyred for Christ.

Veneration

The Orthodox Church keeps the memory of the Apostle James on April 30, and he is also commemorated among the Twelve in the Synaxis of the Holy Apostles. In the Western Church his feast is observed on July 25.

A widespread tradition, especially in the West, holds that after his martyrdom in Jerusalem the apostle's body was carried by sea to Spain and that his relics are venerated at Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, which became one of the principal pilgrimage destinations of the medieval West along the route known as the Way of St. James.

Member ofReadHide

Synaxis of the Holy Twelve Apostles

Commemorated together · Jun 30

Family2 relativesShowHide

Family

James belonged to a fishing family of Galilee. His father was Zebedee and his brother was the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian; tradition identifies his mother as the Myrrh-bearer Salome.

Brother

Apostle & Evangelist Johnthe Theologian

Mother, by tradition

Myrrh-bearer Salome

Companions6 figuresShowHide

With James and John, one of the three apostles of the Lord's inner circle

Apostle Peter

A distinct apostle of the same name, first bishop of Jerusalem

Apostle Jamesthe Brother of the Lord

A distinct apostle of the same name among the Twelve

Apostle Jamesson of Alphaeus

The Lord, whose Transfiguration he beheld with Peter and John.

Jesus Christ

The Forerunner and Baptist, at whose Jordan the first apostles were called.

Johnthe Forerunner & Baptist

The First-Called of the apostles.

Apostle Andrewthe First-Called

Related Saints1 saintShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

Who safeguarded his tomb at Compostela during Almanzor's raid of 997.

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints