Changes

It is possible that James was a first cousin of Jesus and knew Him when they were children.  James' mother was Salome, who could have been the sister of Jesus' mother, [[Virgin Mary|Mary]].

It is possible that James was a first cousin of Jesus and knew Him when they were children.  James' mother was Salome, who could have been the sister of Jesus' mother, [[Virgin Mary|Mary]].

James was present when Jesus resurrected Jairus' daughter, when Jesus underwent a transfiguration, and when Jesus went through His agony in the [[Garden of Gethsemane]].  James (and his brother John) made the mistake of seeking authority over others, which earned him a rebuke from Jesus.

James was present when Jesus resurrected Jairus' daughter, when Jesus underwent His transfiguration, and when Jesus went through His agony in the [[Garden of Gethsemane]].  James (and his brother John) made the mistake of seeking authority over others, which earned him a rebuke from Jesus.

James was older than John, and James was the first Apostle to be [[martyr|martyred]].  The beheading of James by [[King Herod Agrippa I]] in [[Rome]] is recorded in the [[Book of Acts|Acts of the Apostles]] of the [[New Testament]] (Acts 12:2), and occurred between A.D. 41 and 44, only about ten years after [[Jesus' Crucifixion|Jesus' crucifixion]] and [[resurrection]].   

James was older than John, and James was the first Apostle to be [[martyr|martyred]].  The beheading of James by [[King Herod Agrippa I]] in [[Rome]] is recorded in the [[Book of Acts|Acts of the Apostles]] of the [[New Testament]] (Acts 12:2), and occurred between A.D. 41 and 44, only about ten years after [[Jesus' Crucifixion|Jesus' crucifixion]] and [[resurrection]].   

The prominence of James' father, the success of their fishing business, the connection of James' brother John with the high priest (John 18:15), and the martyrdom of James by beheading rather than [[crucifixion]] might cause one to ask whether James could have even been a [[Roman citizen]], as [[Paul]] was.  Roman citizens could not be crucified as Jesus and many Apostles were.  But James did not appeal his sentence to Caesar in Rome, which he could have done if he were a Roman citizen as Paul was, and there is no suggestion in the New Testament that any of Jesus's Apostles were citizens of Rome.

The prominence of James' father, the success of their fishing business, the connection of James' brother John with the high priest (John 18:15), and the martyrdom of James by beheading rather than [[crucifixion]] might cause one to ask whether James could have even been a [[Roman citizen]], as [[Paul]] was.  Roman citizens could not be crucified as Jesus and many Apostles were.  But James did not appeal his sentence to Caesar in Rome, which he could have done if he were a Roman citizen as Paul was, and there is no suggestion in the New Testament that any of Jesus's Apostles were citizens of Rome.

One tradition holds that James preached the Gospel in Spain before returning to Judea when he was put to death by order of Herod.  His body was then translated to Iria Flavia (northwest Spain) and then to Compostela.  There are difficulties with the plausibility of this early missionary journey, but even if James did not preach the Gospel in Spain, his body may have been brought to Compostela nonetheless.  The town, especially during the Middle Ages, was one of the most important and populat pilgrimage sites.  In the twelfth century the Order of Knights of St. James of Compostela were founded.  

One tradition holds that James preached the Gospel in [[Spain]] before returning to [[Judea]] when he was put to death by order of Herod.  His body was then translated to Iria Flavia (northwest Spain) and then to Compostela.  There are difficulties with the plausibility of this early missionary journey, but even if James did not preach the Gospel in Spain, his body may have been brought to Compostela nonetheless.  The town, especially during the Middle Ages, was one of the most important and populat pilgrimage sites.  In the twelfth century the Order of Knights of St. James of Compostela were founded.  

'''Feastday:''' July 25

'''Feastday:''' July 25