James the Apostle (Santiago)
Blagdan: July 25
First apostle martyred; patron of Spain and pilgrims on the road to Santiago.
Zaštitništvo
Spain, pilgrims, laborers, arthritis sufferers, rheumatism
Vrline i osobine
Životopis
James the Greater was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. The son of Zebedee and brother of John, he was among Jesus's inner circle and witnessed key moments including the Transfiguration. After Pentecost, James became a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church. According to tradition, he traveled to Spain to evangelize, earning the title Santiago. He returned to Jerusalem where King Herod Agrippa I executed him around 44 AD, making him the first apostle martyred. His remains were allegedly transported to Spain, where the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela became one of Christendom's most important pilgrimage sites. James represents apostolic courage and missionary zeal.