Saint James
Son of Zebedee
Apostle James the Greater
According to the New Testament, James the Great, also known as James son of Zebedee or Saint James the Greater, was one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles and part of His inner circle. One of the James Facts is that according to Catholic tradition, Apostle James spread Christianity in Spain.
Fu decapitato a Gerusalemme nel 44 e le sue spoglie furono successivamente trasportate in Galizia su una barca di pietra fino al sito della Cattedrale di Santiago de Compostela.
Patron saints are not unique to Roman Catholicism, but also to Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, and some branches of Islam. The patron saint of pilgrims and Spain is St James the Greater, Son of Zebedee.
St James the Greater was one of Jesus Christ’s disciples and was thought to be his cousin by the Virgin Mary’s sister, and the brother of San Giuda Taddeo.
He shared a fishing boat with his brother John, his father Zebedee, and his partner Simon. John and James were disciples of John the Baptist and, later, of Jesus.
When Jesus called James and his brother John to be “pescatori di uomini", hanno lasciato la loro vita di pescatori. Fu uno dei discepoli di Gesù finché non fucrocifisso dai romani.
Birth/Origins
Secondo il mito cristiano, San Giacomo figlio di Zebedeo nacque in Galilea intorno al 5 a.C. I suoi genitori sembrano essere stati benestanti. Suo padre, Zebedeo, era un pescatore del Mar di Galilea che probabilmente viveva a Betsaida o nelle vicinanze, forse a Cafarnao, e aveva alcuni barcaioli o mercenari.
Sua madre, Salome, era una delle pie donne che in seguito seguirono Cristo e "gli amministrarono le loro sostanze".
Suo fratello eraGiovanni Apostolo, who, according to Christian tradition, was the only Apostle who did not die as a martyr and is the author of several New Testament books. According to the Church Fathers, his brother is the same person as John the Evangelist, John of Patmos, and the Beloved Disciple.
A causa della loro personalità impulsiva, entrambi i fratelli furono soprannominati "Boanerges" ("Figli del tuono") e furono tra i primi discepoli a unirsi a Gesù Cristo.
Secondo i Vangeli sinottici, Giacomo e Giovanni erano su una barca con il padre che riparava le reti quando Gesù li chiamò a seguirlo.
Giacomo fu uno dei tre prescelti che assistettero alla Trasfigurazione (metamorfosi), alla figlia risorta di Giairo e all'agonia nel Getsemani.
Life Lessons
Despite everything James went through as a disciple of Jesus, his faith remained shaky until the resurrection. When he and his brother asked Jesus for the honor of sitting beside him in glory, Jesus only promised them a share of his suffering (Mark 10:35; Mark 10:36; Mark 10:37; Mark 10:38; Mark 10:39; Mark 10:40; Mark 10:41; Mark 10:42; Mark 10:43; Mark 10:44; Mark 10:45).
They discovered that the greatest chiamata di un seguace di Gesùè servire gli altri. Seguire Gesù Cristo può portare ad avversità, persecuzione e persino alla morte, ma la ricompensa è la vita eterna con lui in cielo.
Travels
Un testo apocrifo noto come Il Vangelo dei Dodici suggeriva nel I secolo che quando lo Spirito Santo discese sugli apostoli a Pentecoste (Atti 2), ognuno di loro fu autorizzato a parlare la lingua delle persone che erano chiamati a raggiungere (come il Torre di Babele, ma al contrario). James parlava latino, parlato principalmente nella metà occidentale dell'Impero Romano.
Tuttavia, è stato solo centinaia di anni dopo che qualcuno ha suggerito a James di recarsi in Spagna.
Un testo noto come Breviario degli Apostoli, scritto nel VI secolo, affermava che Giacomo diffuse il Vangelo in Spagna e fu sepolto da qualche parte vicino al mare, a ovest della Spagna.
Questa affermazione è stata ripetuta in poesie, inni, biografie e commenti nel settimo e nell'ottavo secolo. All'inizio del IX secolo, si dice che una stella luminosa abbia guidato un pastore alla tomba di San Giacomo in Galizia, in quella che oggi è conosciuta come Santiago de Compostela.
Per fare ciò, Giacomo avrebbe dovuto lasciare Gerusalemme per evangelizzare la Spagna, quindi tornare a Gerusalemme per essere giustiziato nel 44 d.C., e quindi far trasportare i suoi resti in Spagna per essere sepolti.
All'epoca, questa leggenda fu ampiamente accettata e il luogo di sepoltura divenne uno dei pellegrinaggi cristiani più popolari. Tuttavia, la maggior parte degli studiosi moderni ha trovato poche prove a sostegno del ministero di Giacomo in Spagna o della sua presunta sepoltura lì.
Anche Paul lo fa apparire meno credibile. In Romani 15, dice,
“It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was unknown so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation” (Romans 15:20),
and he plans to go to Spain next (Romans 15:23; Romans 15:24).
Nessuno ha portato il Vangelo in Spagna, ma sarebbe strano che Paolo dicesse:
"Preferisco andare dove nessuno ha diffuso il Vangelo prima, motivo per cui vado dove è andato James".
The majority of scholars believe James never made it to Spain. He died in Jerusalem, early in the Christian movement. This Spanish missionary journey was not mentioned again until the sixth century, and the discovery of his burial site was simply too fantastical. Despite its mythical origins, this pilgrimage, known as the Camino de Santiago, has remained popular to this day.
San Giacomo con Gesù
Giacomo era uno degli apostoli che cercavano potere e autorità sugli altri, cosa che Gesù castigò:
“And Zebedee’s sons, James and John, come to him, saying, “Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatever we shall desire.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Grant us a seat in thy glory, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left.”
(Matthew 10:35; Matthew 10:36; Matthew 10:37; Matthew 10:38; Matthew 10:39; Matthew 10:40)
Jesus uses this occasion to reiterate his lesson about how a person who wants to be “great” in God’s kingdom must learn to be the “least” here on earth, serving all others and putting their needs and desires ahead of their own.
Non solo Giacomo e Giovanni sono puniti per aver cercato la loro gloria, ma anche il resto dei discepoli è punito per esserne gelosi.
Questa è una delle poche volte nella Bibbia in cui si cita Gesù che ha molto da dire sul potere politico. Si concentra su questioni religiose per la maggior parte del tempo. Nel capitolo 8, ha messo in guardia contro la tentazione del "lievito dei farisei... e del lievito di Erode", ma quando si tratta di dettagli, si è sempre concentrato sui problemi dei farisei.
Arrest
James was not the first Christian martyr, as Stephen was, who was stoned to death in Acts 7:54; Acts 7:55; Acts 7:56; Acts 7:57; Acts 7:58; Acts 7:59 Acts 7:60. James died as a result of being beheaded, as recorded in the Book of Acts (Acts 12:1; Acts 12:2; Acts 12:3): “About that time, Herod laid violent hands on some of the church’s members.” He killed James, John’s brother, with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he arrested Peter as well.
Questo avveniva durante il periodo degli Azzimi”. Di conseguenza, l'apostolo Giacomo fu il primo a morire come martire. Solo un apostolo, ironia della sorte, sfuggì alla morte per la sua fede, e quello era suo fratello, l'apostolo Giovanni.
The Death of James
Martiri e confessori sono i due tipi di santi. Un martire cristiano è qualcuno che viene giustiziato per le sue convinzioni cristiane. I confessori sono persone che sono morte per cause naturali.
In 44 AD, King Herod Agrippa I captured and beheaded James for heresy after he made the perilous journey back to Jerusalem to pay his respects. Even though James died in Jerusalem, his ashes were returned to his beloved Galicia, and a church was built over them. This was the beginning of Santiago de Compostela’s cathedral, and the body of St. James is said to be buried there to this day.
Church leader
After the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, a church was formed in Jerusalem, headed, so it seems, by James, the brother of our Lord. The degree to which James had been transformed becomes quite evident when we see the honor and respect the early Christians gave to him.
As the leader of the church in Jerusalem, Saul of Tarsus conferred with him when he returned there after his encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road.
James, who presided over the famous ‘Jerusalem Council’ and delivered the ruling, later conveyed to the churches by letter that Gentiles coming into the Christian faith were not required to be circumcised or to keep the laws of Moses.
Author and Writer
Some scholars believe that the brother of our Lord did not author the letter of James because of how he introduces himself in the opening verse: “James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” If James, the Lord’s brother, wrote it, he would have affirmed this fact in his opening remarks.
However, such a view does not consider the tremendous impact that Christ’s death and resurrection made upon James. The writer is so taken up with the fact of Christ’s Lordship—” a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ”—that by comparison, the fact that he was Christ’s brother seems to be of no great importance. James rejoiced, not so much in his earthly relationship to Christ, but in his heavenly one.
A Hotheaded Man
It was probably for this type of hotheaded rashness and fanaticism that the surname “Boanerges,” which means “Sons of Thunder,” was bestowed on them when they were ordained to the Twelve, MAR 3:17. Note, however, that there was some excuse for their action.
The impression left by the Transfiguration was still greatly upon them. They felt strongly that their Lord, whom they had just beheld “in His glory” with “His countenance altered” and “shining garments,” should not be subjected to such indignities by the Samaritans.
Upon the occasion of our Lord’s last journey to Jerusalem, the two brothers gave expression to this presumptuous rashness in a more selfish manner. They presumed their intimacy with Jesus and made the following request.
“And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Him, saying to Him, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.’ And He said to them, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ And they said to Him, ‘Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left.’
Ma Gesù disse loro:
‘You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?’
E gli dissero:
'Noi siamo capaci.'
E Gesù disse loro:
‘The cup that I drink you shall drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.’”
In Matthew 20:20; Matthew 20:21; Matthew 20:22; Matthew 20:23; Matthew 20:24; Matthew 20:25; Matthew 20:26; Matthew 20:27; Matthew 20:28, these words are put in their mother’s mouth, not directly from James and John. However, this request drew forth the rebuke of Jesus and moved the other ten with indignation”. And hearing this; the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
Summary Characteristics
Each of the synoptic Gospels identifies James as an early disciple of Jesus. James, the son of Zebedee, often called James the Greater to distinguish him from the other apostle named James, was a member of Christ’s inner circle, which included his brother, the apostle John, and Peter.
Not only did James and John earn a special nickname from the Lord — “sons of thunder” — they were privileged to be at the front and center of three supernatural events in the life of Christ.
Facts
St James the Greater facts, the disciple made us understand that St James is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is called ‘the Greater to distinguish him from ‘Giacomo il Minore‘, another Apostle of Jesus. He was the first Apostle to be martyred when Herod Agrippa ordered his death, in about AD 44.
The saints of the Christian church can often be identified by a device, known as their attribute. Here St. James holds a pilgrim’s staff with a drinking bottle attached. He is usually depicted as a pilgrim and often wears a hat with a cockleshell attached. In the medieval period, the story of St. James was greatly embellished. In northern Spain, a legend developed that he had traveled to the coast of Galicia to convert the local population. After he was martyred in Jerusalem, his servant brought his body back to Galicia by sea.
As the boat approached the shore, a startled horse threw its rider to the ground, and the man drowned. The servant prayed, and miraculously the man emerged alive from the water, covered in cockleshells, hence James’s shell.
In the early 9th century the bishop of the area claimed that God had told him where to find the body of St James. He built a church on the site. By the 11th century, Santiago de Compostela was a major pilgrimage destination; it still attracts thousands every year. Saints were often thought of as protectors, and the possession of relics of an important one was to be ensured divine protection
The Story and History
The story and history of Saint James the Greater, who was one of the disciples of Jesus. James was prominent amongst the twelve apostles. He was James, the son of Zebedee, who was considered the greater apostle of those called James.
James is thought to be a cousin of Jesus, by the sister of the Virgin Mary, and the brother of Saint Jude Thaddeus. James worked as a fisherman with his brother John, his father Zebedee, and his partner Simon. John and James were followers of John the Baptist and then Jesus.
John the Baptist referred to Jesus with the words “Behold the Lamb of God!”. He left his life as a fisherman when Jesus called him to be a fisher of men.
One of the facts is that he followed Jesus as one of his disciples until Jesus was crucified. James was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles and was given the mission to spread the gospel of Jesus.
He made a pilgrimage to Spain to spread the word. St James returned to Judea, where he was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa I (10 BC – 44 AD) in the year 44. This is detailed in the Bible in Acts 12 of the New Testament. The remains, or relics, of Saint James the Greater, are said to be buried in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Spain) explaining why Saint James is the patron saint of Spain.
The Legend of St James the Greater
St James the Greater Facts, or according to the Spanish form of his name, St Lago, is also the great military patron of Spain. His mission to defend the Christian Church against invaders was however reserved until after his death.
During the celebrated battle of Clavijo, he suddenly appeared on a milk-white charger, waving aloft a white standard, and leading the Christians to victory.
This manifestation was in response to the soldiers’ invocation of his name, “Saint Lago!” as the battle cry of that day. Hence, the name of the ancient city (Santiago) which is where the cathedral was founded in his honor.
Author of Book of James
St James the Greater Facts solves the issue that some people confuse the Apostle James as the author of the Book of James but that James was the half-brother of Jesus who only professed faith in Christ after Jesus rose from the dead.
By the time the Book of James was written, and it appears to be the first book written in the New Testament around 45 AD, James the son of Zebedee had already lost his life.
Only a few of the apostles wrote books in the New Testament and James the son of Zebedee was not one of them, however, his brother, the Apostle John, wrote five books; the Gospel of John, 1st, 2nd, 3rd John, and of course the Book of Revelation although the actual author was Jesus Christ (Rev 1:1)
Apostle James Symbol
One of the facts is that James, also known as James the son of Zebedee, was one of Jesus’ inner circle in the gospels. Along with Peter and his brother, John, James was a witness to Jesus’ transfiguration and many other events that Jesus showed only to the three.
Tradition has it that James traveled widely to preach the gospel, going as far as Spain. One of his symbols, the shell, comes from the legend that these shells were numerous on the shore on which James arrived in Spain. He has a couple of other common symbols.
The sword indicates how he was killed by King Herod, recorded in Acts 12. A traveling stick also points to his extensive journeys.
The Feast Day of St James
St James facts tell us that the Feast Day of St James the Greater is July 25th and is widely celebrated in Spain, especially in Santiago de Compostela, where they hold a firework display at the end of a two-week celebration.
When the Feast of St James falls on a Sunday that year will be a Camino Holy Year, also known as a Year of Compostela, or Jacobean Year. During these years visitors to the Cathedral in Santiago can receive a plenary indulgence.
Apostle James Actions
James, along with his brother John, is portrayed in the gospels as perhaps being more important than most of the other apostles. He was present at the resurrection of Jarius’s daughter, at Jesus’s transfiguration, and at the Garden of Gethsemane before Jesus was arrested. Other than a few references to him in the New Testament, however, we have no information about who James was or what he did.
The Origin of Feast Days
Most saints have specially designated feast days that are associated with a specific day of the year. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.
Saint James Son of Zebedee Facts Conclusion
St James the Greater Facts state that James is the elder brother of John. He is a rather quiet part of the team of disciples in that we don’t read much about him in Scripture.
As part of Jesus’ “inner three” he was permitted to be present along with Peter and John when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37), he witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration on the Mount of Olives (Matteo 17:1), and he was in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. (Mark 14:33)
James was the first disciple to be martyred (he was beheaded) and the only disciple to have their martyrdom recorded in Scripture. (Acts 12:1; Acts 12:2; Acts 12:3)
Resources St James the Greater Facts
https://ourlordstyle.com/blogs/christian-writings/classic-christian-symbols-and-their-meanings-the-twelve-apostles
http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/st.-james-the-greater/
https://followthecamino.com/it/blog/storia-dell-apostolo-saint-james/
http://m.catholic-saints.info/patron-saints/saint-james-the-greater.htm
Summary Saint James Son of Zebedee
Giacomo fu uno dei primi dodici discepoli. Quando Gesù chiamò i fratelli, Giacomo e Giovanni erano pescatori sul mare di Galilea con il padre Zebedeo. Lasciarono subito il padre e la loro attività per seguire il giovane rabbino. Poiché James è sempre menzionato per primo, molto probabilmente era il più anziano dei due fratelli.
Jesus invited James, John, and Peter three times to witness events that no one else witnessed: the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37; Mark 5:38; Mark 5:39; Mark 5:40; Mark 5:41; Mark 5:42; Mark 5:43; Mark 5:44; Mark 5:45; Mark 5:46; Mark 5:47), the transfiguration (Matteo 17:1; Matteo 17:2; Matteo 17:3), and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matteo 26:36; Matteo 26:37).
But James wasn’t above making blunders. When a Samaritan village rejected Jesus, he and John wished to summon fire from heaven. As a result, they were dubbed “Boanerges,” or “sons of thunder.” The mother of James and John went too far when she asked Jesus to give her sons special positions in his kingdom.
Because of his devotion to Jesus, James was the first of the twelve apostles to be martyred. On the order of King Herod Agrippa I of Judea, he was killed with the sword around 44 A.D., as part of the general persecution of the early church.
Nel Nuovo Testamento, ci sono altri due uomini di nome Giacomo: Giacomo, figlio di Alfeo, un altro degli apostoli scelti da Cristo, e Giacomo, fratello del Signore, capo della chiesa di Gerusalemme e autore del libro di Giacomo.
Resources Saint James Son of Zebedee
https://followthecamino.com/it/blog/storia-dell-apostolo-saint-james/
https://www.learnreligions.com/profile-of-apostle-james-701062
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_the_Great
https://overviewbible.com/saint-james/
https://www.ultreyatours.com/blog/the-legend-of-the-apostle-saint-james-life-burial/
https://www.learnreligions.com/james-the-apostle-profile-and-biography-248809