Saint James the Lesser Facts
Facts of Apostle James the Lesser
St James the Less Facts tell us that James is the son of Alphaeus (Luke 6:15). His mother’s name is Mary (Mark 15:40) and he has a brother named Joseph (Matthew 27:56).
Except for a few details about his family, there is nothing more mentioned about him in Scripture.
Maybe this is why he has been referred to as James the Less in Mark 15:40. What is important to remember is although James was somewhat in the background, he was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve disciples.
He was trained and used by Christ in a powerful way to further the Kingdom of God. He was a valuable team member.
Tradition says he was crucified in Sinai or possibly stoned to death in Jerusalem.
Symbol Saint James the LessJames the Lesser Facts and Symbol
St James the Less Facts writes that James the Less is also called James the son of Alphaeus in the gospels. Because there are so many James’s in the Bible, sources argue about their identities, so he may be associated with other people in the book of Acts or the gospels.
His name, James the Less, doesn’t mean that James had a lower status than James the Greater. It just meant that he was younger than the other James.
Tradition has it that James was one of the oldest of the apostles when he was martyred. Some traditions state that he was crucified in Egypt where he preached the gospel.
The most common story, the one represented in his symbol, is that he was stoned or beaten and then sawed in half. His symbol, the saw, reflects the method of his death, and artists sometimes depict the saw with a club or stones.
The symbols for these apostles help us to remember these great stories. Each one reminds us of their lives and also their deaths. They faithfully preached the gospel and often died for their savior.
The symbols help us consider their lives and their deaths. Christians throughout history have used the stories of martyrs and apostles to encourage each of us to be faithful like they were. We remember their deaths and follow their example.
His Obscurity
In the New Testament, there is absolutely nothing said of the individual achievements or failures of this apostle. However, the Lord did choose James as an apostle, and he was still with the church on Pentecost (Acts 1:13); therefore, there is no reason to doubt he rendered faithful service to the Lord.
St James the Less Facts that he is a servant of God and should be happy to serve Christ in any capacity. God’s people are not in this world to gain the acclaim of men. They are not supposed to be publicity hounds.
Nevertheless, every Baptist church has a few members who stay puffed up if their every effort does not get recognition publicly. Others want to be considered as church “bigwigs” whether they ever do anything or not. Faithful servants do not mind if their names remain in the background.
They serve God, not man. Through the years many dedicated Baptists have worshipped and served God without fanfare. With their insight, wisdom, and love they are the true “backbones” of a church. “A man of understanding holdeth his peace” (Proverbs 11:12).
God is the One Who selects the place of service for His people. When a person serves in that place, he is doing God’s will. There is no higher station in life. Consequently, believers need to determine God’s will for their lives, serve Him faithfully in His will, and be happy there (John 13:16, John 13:17). Those who serve only to be recognized now have their reward.
How Saint James is Represented in Christian Art
It is helpful to be able to recognize Saint James in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture, and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint James is represented in Christian Art with a fuller’s club, the instrument with which Simeon the fuller dashed out his brains.
Saint James the LessHis Traditions
Catholicism complicates matters concerning this apostle by making him identical to “James the Lord’s brother”. They say Joseph is his father, but Mary the mother of Jesus is not his mother.
Resultantly, they make Joseph less than a moral man to promote their teaching of the perpetual virginity of Mary. Such claims are not only complicated but contradictory and indefensible by the Word of God.
Traditional writings of men allot the work of James the Less to Palestine, Spain, Britain, Ireland, and Egypt. Many traditions surround the manner and the place of his death.
Who or what is Saint James the patron saint of?
Saint James is the patron of Hatmakers. Meanings, definitions, and origins – a patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession, or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron for intercession on their behalf.
Feast Day of Saint James
The Feast Day of Saint James the Less is May 3rd. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint’s feast day. 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.
Prayer to Saint James The Apostle
O glorious Apostle, Saint James, who by reason of thy fervent and generous heart was chosen by Jesus to be a witness of His glory on Mount Tabor, and of His agony in Gethsemane; thou, whose very name is a symbol of warfare and victory:
obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending warfare of this life, that, having constantly and generously followed Jesus, we may be victors in the strife and deserve to receive the victor’s crown in heaven. Amen. Conclusion St James the Less Facts
James (son of Alphaeus) (also known as Saint James the Less by the Catholic church) is one of the disciples that very little is known about. James’ father shared his name with the father of Matthew and it is possible that they were brothers;
however, this cannot be known for certain because there was much reuse of names at this time. James the Less facts prove James the son of Alphaeus is thought to be the same man as referred to as “James the Less” as a way for the disciples to distinguish between the two James’ however this is not known for certain and should not be assumed.
