St. James the Greater - Apostle

St. James was the brother of the beloved evangelist, John. He was the first of the apostles to receive the crown of martyrdom, beheaded by Herod Agrippa. His sacred bones carried from Jerusalem to Spain and placed in the remote province of Galicia where they are devoutly honored by the far-famed piety of the inhabitants and the frequent concourse of Christians, who visit them through piety and in fulfillment of promises. The sanctuary where his relics are venerated is a popular destination of pilgrims. He is sometimes referred to as James the Greater to distinguish him from the younger apostle by the same name, James, the son of Alphaeus.  July 25 is the feast of St. James the Greater.