Synaxarium

On this day, Saint James the Apostle, brother of Saint John the Apostle, son of Zebedee, was martyred. After preaching in Judea and Samaria, he traveled to Spain and preached the Gospel to its people, who believed in the Lord Christ. He then returned to Jerusalem and continued his ministry. He used to advise his people to give alms to the poor, the needy, and the weak. Because of this, he was denounced to Herod, who summoned him and said, "You are the one who calls for not paying the tribute to Caesar but to spend it on the poor and the churches." Then he struck him with a sword, beheading him, and he received the crown of martyrdom. Clement of Alexandria, a man of the second generation, narrated that the soldier who arrested the saint saw his courage and realized that there must be a better life beyond this one. He asked the saint for forgiveness, and the saint said to him, "Live, my son." Then the soldier confessed Christianity and received the crown of martyrdom (Acts 12:1-2) with the apostle in the year 44 AD. It is said that his body was transferred to Spain, where James the Greater is considered its apostle. Then Saint Peter the Apostle was also arrested and imprisoned until the Passover to be killed (Acts 12:3-4). The angel of the Lord struck him. On a certain day, he wore the royal robe and sat on the king's throne, addressing the people, who cried out, "This is the voice of a god, not the voice of a man." Immediately, the angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give glory to God, and worms consumed him, and he died (Acts 12:21-23). As for the body of Saint James, the believers took it, wrapped it in a shroud, and buried it near the temple. May his prayers be with us, and to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.