St James the Apostle (July 25th) is called “James the Greater,” to distinguish him from the other Apostle of the same name (“greater” meaning that he was older). This James was the brother of John (the Evangelist), and they were sons of a Galilean fisherman, Zebedee. Some Scriptural references indicate the possibility that they were cousins of Jesus through their mother being a sister to the Virgin Mary. They were among the first to be called to discipleship by Jesus (with Peter and Andrew).

James was one of the three Disciples who seem to have enjoyed a special, close relationship with Jesus—a kind of inner circle that also included his brother John and Peter. They were chosen by Jesus to witness the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead, and the agony in the garden on the night before the Crucifixion. James apparently shared his brother’s hot-headed temper, as Jesus humorously nicknamed them “Boanerges,” which means Sons of Thunder.

Perhaps indicative of the possible familial relationship, it was either these brothers or their mother who infamously requested that James and John be given the seats of honor on Jesus’ right hand when he sits in heavenly glory. In reply, Jesus asked them if they could drink the cup that he was going to drink. They answered that they could. This was realized in ca. 43, when James became the first of the Apostles to be martyred (Acts 12:1-3). He was buried in Jerusalem.

Later traditions (themselves unlikely) asserted that James had preached in Spain and that his body was transferred to Compostela, where his shrine was (and remains) enormously popular.

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