The first Apostle to be martyred was James, the brother of John the Evangelist. Herod of Agrippa ordered his beheading. The two brothers abandoned their father Zebedee and followed Jesus as soon as He beckoned to them, according to the Gospels.
Among the three Apostles who had the closest relationship with the Lord was James. He was present in the Garden of Gethsemane and at the Transfiguration alongside the Lord, his brother John, and Peter.
James carried the gospel throughout both Israel and the Roman Empire after Christ's ascension. He spent almost forty years traveling and sharing the gospel throughout Spain.
It is reported that one day, as he was praying, the Blessed Virgin Mary requested him to build her a church, which he dutifully accomplished.
To set him apart from the other Apostle of the same name, he is referred to as James "the Greater". St. James was given the moniker "the Greater" in order to set him apart from the Apostle James "the Less," who was supposedly shorter than James "the Greater."
He is revered as the patron saint of Spain and pilgrims. He is revered at Santiago de Compostela, a popular medieval pilgrimage site in northwest Spain.
Other Saints of the Day
Saint Nissen
Saint Christopher
Saint Theodemir
Saint Glodesind
Saint Paul of Gaza