Jude the Apostle

St. Jude Jude the Apostle, also known as Thaddaeus, was probably a relative of Jesus. Jude was also a brother of the Apostle James the Lesser.

He wrote one of the letters or epistles included in the New Testament, directed towards eastern churches and particularly the Jewish converts. Like all Apostles, Jude himself was originally Jewish.

He spread Christianity to Samaria, Judea, Syria, Idumaea, Mesopotamia and Lybia. He returned to Jerusalem in the year 62, and assisted at the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem. Jude was martyred in Armenia while it was under the control of Persia. Armenia did not convert to Christianity until the third century.

In the Gospels, Jude was the Apostle who asked Jesus during the Last Supper why Jesus would not show Himself to the entire world after the resurrection.

In some Christian churches Jude (St. Jude) is the Patron Saint of hopeless causes, desperate cases or very difficult circumstances. In some cultures he is known as 'double-checking Thaddaeus' - some apocryphal works recorded that he was assigned the task of ensuring all disciples were aware of what was required of them. Do not confuse Jude with the traitor Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Feastday: October 28.

External links

• St. Jude Thaddaeus Catholic Online.