December 30historicalUniversal

St. James the Elder, Apostle

Saint

Sanctified Life

1 — 44

"You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?"

One of the first apostles called by Jesus, James the son of Zebedee was a member of the inner circle who witnessed the Transfiguration. His path of fiery zeal led him to become the first apostle to suffer martyrdom, and his legacy is eternally linked to the Camino de Santiago, the great pilgrimage route across Europe that leads to his shrine in Spain.

Historical Legacy

Historical Journey

Life Locations

Historical Summary (Wikidata)

James the Great, also known as James, son of Zebedee or Saint James the Great (d. AD 44), was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. According to the New Testament, he was the second of the apostles to die (after Judas Iscariot), and the first of them to be martyred. Saint James is the patron saint of Spain and, according to tradition, his remains are held in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

Canonization: saint

Historical Depiction

Wikimedia Commons Source

Titles & Roles

• fisher• missionary

Sacred Symbols

scallop shell

Pilgrimage

sword

Martyrdom

Life Journey

1—

Born in Galilee

Born in Bethsaida to Zebedee and Salome.

28—

Call of the Disciples

Immediately leaves his boat and father to follow Jesus.

30—

Sons of Thunder

Rebuked by Jesus for wanting to call down fire on a Samaritan village.

33—

Witness to Glory

Present at the Transfiguration and the raising of Jairus' daughter.

44—

First Apostolic Martyr

Arrested by Herod Agrippa I and beheaded in Jerusalem.