SAINT JAMES THE GREAT

APOSTLE (A.D.44)

St. James the great or Jacob in Greek, and Yacoub in Arabic, is the brother of St. John the Evangelist, and son of Zebedee.

His mother is Salome, the woman who requested on behalf of her 2 sons, for seats of honor beside Christ in the kingdom of heaven.

St. James was called the Great to distinguish him from other apostle of the same name and surnamed The Less because he was the younger.

Zebedee, the father and sons were Galilean Fishermen. They were fishing at the Lake of Genesareth when Jesus was walking at the shore. That was the time of selecting the twelve apostles. When He saw them, He called them to come after Him, promising to make them fishers of men. Immediately, they left their father and the nets and followed Him. Looking at their hearts, He gave them the surname “Boanerges “, which means “ Sons of Thunder”.

St. James the Great was present with John and Peter at the great events like the glorious Transfiguration.

They were with Jesus on the night of His agony at Gethsemanie before His passion.

St. James preached the Gospel in Spain.

He was the first among the apostles who had the honor to follow His Divine Master by martyrdom. He fulfilled his promise to Jesus that he was ready to drink the cup of suffering, and baptize by blood.

Around A.D.44, KING Herod Agrippa, regarded James as dangerous, and chose him, beheaded, as the first victim of the apostles.