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'''James''' (Saint James in [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] traditions) was one of the most prominent Apostles of [[Jesus]].  This Apostle is known as "James the Greater" because there was another Apostle of Jesus also known as James ("James the Lesser").

'''James''' (Saint James in [[Catholic]] and [[Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] traditions) was one of the most prominent Apostles of [[Jesus]].  This Apostle is known as "James the Greater" because there was another Apostle of Jesus also known as James ("James the Lesser").

James was a son of Zebedee and the brother of another Apostle, [[John the Apostle|John]].  Both were given the nickname "sons of thunder."  They apparently came from a family that ran a successful fishing business, as demonstrated by a reference in [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] to how the business had hired servants.  "And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."  Mark 1:20.  [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Andrew the Apostle|Andrew]] were also partners in the same fishing business, suggesting that all four (James, John, Peter and Andrew) enjoyed some success.  Peter, James and John were the Apostles closest to Jesus during His ministry.

James was a son of Zebedee and the brother of another [[Apostle]], [[John the Apostle|John]].  Both were given the nickname "sons of thunder."  They apparently came from a family that ran a successful fishing business, as demonstrated by a reference in [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] to how the business had hired servants.  "And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."  Mark 1:20.  [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Andrew the Apostle|Andrew]] were also partners in the same fishing business, suggesting that all four (James, John, Peter and Andrew) enjoyed some success.  Peter, James and John were the Apostles closest to Jesus during His ministry.

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

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