Described in the Gospels as the son of Zebedee and the brother of John,
James, apostle and martyr, was one of the three witnesses of the
Transfiguration of Christ and his agony in the garden of Gethsemane.
He was also the first apostle to die for the Christian faith, being put to
the sword at Jerusalem by King Herod Agrippa (acts 12:2).
The word 'boanerges', used by the evangelists to describe James and John,
means 'sons of thunder', indicating impetuous and fiery temper.
There is a tradition dating from the seventh century, that James preached
the Gospel in Spain before his martyrdom and that his body rests in
Compostela.
The shrine of St. James in Spain remains an important place of pilgrimage,
but the legend behind it is generally regarded as unhistorical.
His feast day is the 25th July.
Written and contributed by Phillip Lloyd.
