St. James the Elder

Who they were

James, son of Zebedee and brother of the apostle John, is called 'the Greater' to distinguish him from James son of Alphaeus. He was mending nets in his father's boat when Jesus called the two brothers, and they left the boat and their father at once. Jesus called them 'Boanerges', sons of thunder, for their fiery temper.

With Peter and John he saw the Transfiguration and was with Christ in His agony in Gethsemane. Asked whether he could drink the cup Christ would drink, he answered 'We can.' King Herod had him put to the sword (Acts 12), making him the first of the apostles to die for Christ. By tradition a tomb inscribed with his name was found in 831 at the place later called Santiago de Compostela, where the basilica begun in 1075 has drawn pilgrims ever since.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: James has been honoured as an apostle and martyr since the earliest Church. He is patron of Spain and of pilgrims.

Why that counted as sanctity

James left everything at Christ's call, was among the three closest to Him, and kept his word that he could drink His cup: he was the first apostle to give his life for Christ.

Connected on this site

• Athanasius of Caesaraugusta Saint Pupil
• John the Apostle Saint Brother or sister