Saint of the day - July 25

Saint James was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, the first apostle to be martyred according to the New Testament. He was the brother of John the Apostle.

James is described as one of the first disciples to join Jesus and was one of only three apostles whom Jesus selected to bear witness to his Transfiguration. James and John asked Jesus to grant them seats on his right and left in his glory. Jesus rebuked them, asking if they were ready to drink from the cup he was going to drink from and saying the honour was not even for him to grant.

Following Christ's Ascension, James spread the Gospel across Israel and the Roman kingdom as well. He travelled and spread the Word for nearly forty years in Spain.

According to ancient local tradition, on 2 January AD 40, the Virgin Mary appeared to James on the bank of the Ebro River at Caesaraugusta, while he was preaching the Gospel in Spain. Following that apparition, James returned to Judea. The Acts of the Apostles records that "Herod the king" had James executed by the sword. It is believed that this may have been caused by his fiery temper, in which he and his brother earned the nickname "Sons of Thunder".

Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Christopher
2. Saint Paul of Gaza
3. Saint Magnericus
4. Saint Glodesind
5. Saint Theodemir

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