Iakov Apostle Country: Egypt

Content:

1. The Apostle James
2. James Zebedee (the Elder, Boanerges)
3. The Inner Circle
4. Sons of Thunder
5. The First Martyr
6. The Legend of James in Spain
7. The Discovery of the Relics
8. The Significance of Compostela
9. A Popular Pilgrimage Site
10. The Year of James

The Apostle James

A Disciple of Christ

James was the brother of the apostle and evangelist Matthew, who had previously been a tax collector. He was called by the Lord Himself into the company of the 12 apostles and sent out to preach the gospel.

James Zebedee (the Elder, Boanerges)

This Galilean fisherman was the elder brother of John the Apostle. Jesus chose him and his brother together, but not merely as an adjunct to John the Theologian. Instead, he gave James a very special position in the Church.

The Inner Circle

Jesus turned the multitude of followers into an organism whose unity was achieved through his unique love for each individual. From the many thousands, he selected 70 disciples, then gathered 12 into a closer circle. From these, Peter, James, and John were especially close to Jesus.

Sons of Thunder

James and John were known for their zeal and energy, so much so that Christ gave them the nickname "Boanerges," meaning "sons of thunder" or, in modern parlance, "firebrands" or "men of energy."

The First Martyr

Jesus allowed James his impetuousness, even when he and John argued over who would sit closest to God in the Kingdom of Heaven on the eve of the crucifixion. The Lord gave each of the three something special: Peter became the symbol of authority, John of love, and James of the gospel itself. This was because he was the first of the apostles to be executed for preaching the resurrection, at the command of King Herod Agrippa.

The Legend of James in Spain

Introduction

In the late 7th century, a tradition arose in the Near East that James had preached the gospel in Spain. However, the Spanish themselves did not believe this at the time, and St. Julian of Toledo strongly rejected the legend.

The Discovery of the Relics

However, around 830 CE, a tradition was recorded in Spain that claimed the remains of James had been transported from Jerusalem to that country. They were first placed in Galicia, in the town of El Padron (Iria Flavia under the Romans), and then in Compostela ("Field of the Star").

The Significance of Compostela

Bishop Teodomiro (died 847) reported the discovery of the relics with joy to King Alfonso II of Asturias, who immediately made a pilgrimage to the tomb of the "apostle." The first foreign pilgrim visited Compostela in the mid-10th century, Bishop Gotscalc of Le Puy. However, mass pilgrimages by foreigners began in the 11th century. King Alfonso VI even imposed a tax on pilgrims.

A Popular Pilgrimage Site

In the late Middle Ages, Compostela became one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Western Europe. In 1884, Pope Leo XIII issued a special bull confirming the authenticity of the relics. However, even if they are genuine, the apostle never visited Spain. The Greek "acts" describing James's preaching and execution are forgeries and were written no earlier than the 8th century.

The Year of James

2004 was proclaimed the Year of the Apostle James (not exclusively him) in Europe. It was a year of remembrance about the way that pilgrimages to Compostela drew people out of isolation and created an unprecedented tradition of discovery, cultural exchange, and travel. The roads along which people flocked to Compostela from all over Western Europe became the first "network" of European culture—not just of individual countries, but of Europe as a whole.

Sacred

Pawel Ge Tingzhu	Artemy Verkolsky	Alberico Crescitelli
Peter Nolasco	Ekaterina Laboure	Vakresvara Pandita