St. James the Apostle

St. James the Apostle, known as James the Greater, was one of Jesus' Twelve Apostles and the first of them to be martyred. He is the patron saint of Spain and pilgrims.

St. James the Apostle, also called James the Greater, was the son of Zebedee and Salome, and the brother of John the Apostle. He was among the first disciples called by Jesus and became one of His closest companions, along with Peter and John. James witnessed several significant moments in Jesus' life, including the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

James is called "the Greater" to distinguish him from the other apostle named James (James the Less). He was likely older or taller, or perhaps more prominent in the Gospel accounts. He was a fisherman by trade and left his livelihood to follow Christ, responding immediately when Jesus called.

As a zealous follower of Jesus, James had a fiery temperament. He and his brother John were nicknamed "Boanerges," or "sons of thunder," likely because of their passion and boldness. After the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, James became a prominent leader in the early Church.

He is believed to have preached the Gospel in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain), though historical evidence for this mission is sparse. According to tradition, after returning to Jerusalem, James was arrested by King Herod Agrippa I and became the first apostle to be martyred, around 44 AD. He was executed by the sword, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 12:1–2).

His relics are traditionally believed to be buried in Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a major pilgrimage site known as the Camino de Santiago. This pilgrimage has drawn the faithful for centuries and remains one of the most important Christian pilgrimage routes in the world.

St. James’ legacy as a fervent and faithful disciple who gave his life for Christ continues to inspire Christians, especially those on spiritual journeys and missions.

Feast Day

25-7-

Birth Date

--N/A

Died Date

25-7-44

Canonised Date

--N/A

Santiago de Compostela, Spain

"St. James, pray for us to have the courage to follow Christ boldly, and to serve others with love and humility. Help us to remain faithful to our calling. Amen."
ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE

Video Not Found

ST. JAMES THE APOSTLE

The information on this website is compiled from various trusted sources. While we aim for accuracy, some details may be incomplete or contain discrepancies.

If you notice any errors or have additional information about this saint, please use the form on the left to share your suggestions. Your input helps us improve and maintain reliable content for everyone.

All submissions are reviewed carefully, and your personal details will remain confidential. Thank you for contributing to the accuracy and value of this resource.

Credits & Acknowledgments

Anudina Visudhar (Malayalam) – Life of Saints for Everyday
by Msgr. Thomas Moothedan, M.A., D.D.
Saint Companions for Each Day
by A. J. M. Mausolfe & J. K. Mausolfe
US Catholic (Faith in Real Life) – Informational articles
Wikipedia – General reference content and images
Anastpaul.com – Saint images and reflections
Pravachaka Sabdam (Malayalam) – Saint-related content and insights

We sincerely thank these authors and platforms for their valuable contributions. If we have unintentionally missed any attribution, please notify us, and we will make the correction promptly.