James the Greater (jan 1, 33 – apr 1, 44)

Description:

Names and Titles

-Also known as James, son of Zebedee.
-Called "the Greater" to distinguish him from James the Lesser.

Family and Background

-Son of Zebedee and Salome.
-Brother of John the Apostle.
-Part of a family involved in the fishing business on the Sea of Galilee.

Calling by Jesus

-Called to be a disciple while mending nets with his brother John and father Zebedee (Matthew 4:21-22).
-One of the first disciples called by Jesus.

Role Among the Apostles

-Part of Jesus' inner circle, along with Peter and John.
-Present at significant events such as the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9), the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 5:37-43), and Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46).

Significant Events

-Nicknamed "Boanerges" (Sons of Thunder) by Jesus, along with his brother John, possibly due to their zealous and bold nature (Mark 3:17).
-Asked Jesus for a place of honor in His kingdom, which led to a teaching moment about servanthood (Mark 10:35-45).
-Witnessed the resurrection appearances of Jesus.

Ministry and Missionary Work

-Preached the Gospel after Jesus' resurrection and ascension.
-Tradition holds that he traveled to Spain to spread Christianity, although historical evidence is limited.

Martyrdom

-First apostle to be martyred.
-Executed by beheading on the orders of King Herod Agrippa I around 44 CE in Jerusalem (Acts 12:1-2).

Legacy

-Patron saint of Spain, with the shrine of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, believed to house his remains.
-Inspired the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago.

Veneration

-Recognized as a saint in multiple Christian traditions, including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran churches.
-Feast day is observed on July 25.
-Often depicted in Christian art with a pilgrim's staff, scallop shell (symbol of pilgrimage), and sometimes a sword, symbolizing his martyrdom.

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