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SAINT
JAMES OF JERUSALEM,
Brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and Martyr
October 23
In Matthew’s gospel as well as
in the letter to the Galatians, the James whom we commemorate today is said to
be Jesus’ brother. Down through the centuries, there has been debate about the
identity of this James. Some have argued he was Jesus’ half-brother (a son of
Joseph from a previous marriage) or, as Jerome argued, Jesus’ cousin, since the
word translated “brother” can sometimes mean “cousin.” While two James were
numbered among the Twelve (James the son of Zebedee and brother of John, and
James the son of Alpheus), James of Jerusalem was not. Even so, Paul claims that
this James saw the Risen Christ (1 Cor. 15:5-7) and identifies him as the Lord’s
brother and an apostle (Gal. 1:19). James of Jerusalem may have served as a
substitute for James the son of Zebedee following the latter’s death.
Tradition identifies James as the first Bishop of Jerusalem. For the first
generation after the Resurrection, he was the most respected and authoritative
leader in the church in Jerusalem. When Paul came to Jerusalem to meet with
Peter, James welcomed him and supported Paul’s position that Gentile converts
should not be required to be circumcised before being accepted into the church
(Acts 15:1-19).
James success in converting many to Christ was upsetting to some factions in
Jerusalem. Josephus writes that the high priest Annas was instrumental in James
being stoned to death in 62. Hegesippus reports that James was set on the
pinnacle of the temple and told to convince the multitudes to turn from
following Jesus. James refused to comply, but instead testified in behalf of
Christ. As a result, James was thrown from the roof to the pavement, after which
he was beaten to death.
Saint James of Jerusalem is commemorated on October 23 in the calendars of the
Eastern churches, various churches in the Anglican Communion (including the
Episcopal Church) and various churches in the Lutheran World Federation
(including the ELCA).
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