Commemorated on October 9

Brother to Apostle Matthew, the holy and blessed apostle of Christ James was a great missionary and helped to spread the word of God among many of the Gentiles. He was a witness of the true words and miracles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and a witness of His suffering, Resurrection and Ascension.

After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the lot fell to James to preach the Gospel of Christ in distant lands. Gifted like the other apostles during Pentecost, he was able to preach in many regions, including Gaza and Eleutheropolis where he spent most of his time.

Given the nickname “the Divine Seed” he was known for planting the faith and deep love of God into people’s hearts. He also destroyed the pagan temples and idols, leaving the people with no reminder of what they once ignorantly worshipped.

With great power in word and deed, James spread the saving news of the incarnate Word of God, destroying idolatry, driving demons out of men, and healing every infirmity and disease in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. His labor and zeal were crowned with great success. Many pagans came to believe in Christ, churches were built and organized, and priests and bishops were ordained.

After preaching and guiding many to Christ, he gave his soul to the Lord amid his travels. His final place of missionary work was in Ostracina, an Egyptian village. While sharing the great words and gifts of Christ, he was taken by the idol worshipping soldiers and given the punishment of crucifixtion. Thus, this great and wonderful apostle of Christ took up his abode in the heavenly kingdom, to reign eternally with the King of Glory.

His holy relics can be found in Rome as well as on Mount Athos at the Holy Monastery of St. Panteleimon. It was this Saint and the other 11 apostles who paved the road for Christianity and it is to them we owe great and humbled thanks.

Troparion & Kontakion

Troparion — Tone 3

Holy Apostle James, / entreat the merciful God / to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.

Kontakion — Tone 2

Let us bless James, praising him as the messenger of God, / for he filled the souls of the pious with wise dogmas. / Standing at the throne of glory before the Master, / he rejoices with all the angels unceasingly praying for us all.