The annual celebration of Saint James the Apostle is held on July 25. Saint James and his sibling John were both sons of Zebedee and were among the first four Apostles selected by Jesus. James the Great or James the Greater (because of his larger stature or his older age than James the Lesser). As Saint James is the patron saint of Galicia and Spain, today is Galicia Day. It is believed that his remains are in Galicia’s Santiago de Compostela. The day is set aside to honour one of Spain’s most revered deities.
The background of Feast of Saint James the Apostle
Jesus recruited Apostle James as one of the first of the 12 apostles. He was recruited by Jesus while he and his brother John were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. He was tasked with spreading the gospel alongside Peter, Andrew, and John. Jesus’ inner entourage included James. He was also one of the three witnesses to Jesus’ transfiguration, agony in Gethsemane, and the raising of Jairus’ daughter from the dead.
After Jesus’ death and ascension into heaven, his apostles spread the gospel far and wide, and James’ travels brought him to Spain. Unfortunately, his sermons were not well received in Grenada, and he was detained there. Soon after his parole, he delivered his message to Galicia.
In January 40 A.D., James preached the gospel on the bank of the Ebro, a river that empties into the Mediterranean Sea from the north and northeast of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain. Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to him on a pillar and instructed him to return to Jerusalem once the Church had been constructed. Today, the column is located at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain.
In 44 A.D., James returned to Jerusalem and was taken prisoner upon his arrival during the reign of King Herod Agrippa I. The king executed James, rendering him a martyr, and his body was taken by his followers and buried in Galicia at Santiago de Compostela.
THE FIRST 5 PROPHETS OF JESUS
He is commonly referred to as Peter. He was the first Pope of the Christian church.
Along with his brother Simon, he was chosen and is considered the second apostle.
He was also designated as Jesus’ third apostle while fishing with his brother and father.
John the Beloved was the fourth apostle appointed by Jesus.
Jesus’ fifth apostle, he preached in Greece, Syria, and Phrygia.
FEAST OF SAINT JAMES THE APOSTLE DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 25 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | July 25 | Thursday |
| 2025 | July 25 | Friday |
| 2026 | July 25 | Saturday |
| 2027 | July 25 | Sunday |
