James | James the Great | Apostle

● Memorial Day Orthodox: April 30, November 15
● Name means: the afterborn or: God protects (from Hebrew-Latin)
● Apostle
● Attributes: as a pilgrim, as a knight (slaying the Moors), with a shell
● Patron: of Spain and Innsbruck; the warrior, laborer, porter, sailor, hat maker, hosiery
maker, wax maker, chain maker, apothecary, and druggist; the pilgrim and pilgrim; for
the weather, for the thriving of apples and crops; against rheumatism.
● Born at the Sea of Gennesaret in Galilee, Israel
● Died around Easter 43 in Jerusalem, Israel
James, the son of Zebedee and Salome, was one of the earliest disciples of Jesus alongside his
younger brother, John, and Simon Peter. Together, they formed one of the closest circles around
Jesus and were present at some of the most pivotal moments in his journey such as the
transfiguration and Gethsemane.
Jesus is said to have given James and John the nickname “Boanerges” which means “sons of
thunder” because of their zealous and passionate nature. Although James was not one of the
innermost circle of disciples, his impact on the early Christian community cannot be ignored.
Tragically, James was executed by King Herod Agrippa I of Judea in 43, making him the first
apostle to become a martyr. Despite this, his work as a preacher and evangelist lived on through
the areas around Samaria and Jerusalem, where he was said to have spread the Gospel.
While there is not a wealth of information about James available, his dedication and commitment
to spreading the word of Christ has made him a beloved figure in Christian history. His story
serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by early Christians in their quest to share their faith
with the world.