Today we also celebrate the Glorious Apostle James, the Brother of our Lord. Saint James was the son from a previous marriage of the Righteous Joseph, the Betrothed of the Holy Theotokos, thus making him the step brother of Christ. He was also one of the Lord’s apostles and the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He presided over the first Apostolic Council (Acts 15) and converted many Jews to Christianity. He wrote the oldest known Liturgy bearing his name, which is celebrated every year even up until today on the feast day of Saint James. This Liturgy became the basis of those of Saints Basil and John Chrysostom. He is also the author of one of the books of the Holy Bible, which also bears his name. Because of his mass conversions of Jews to Christianity, the Scribes and Pharisees grew jealous and enraged and plotted to murder him. They took him to the pinnacle of the Temple of Jerusalem and threw him off the roof. Thus the Holy Apostolic Martyr gave up his soul to the Lord in around the year 63AD. May he intercede for us always + #saint #james #jacob #iakovos #apostle #brother #disciple #gospel #bible #holybible #saintjames #stjames #joseph #mary #panagia #theotokos #jews #pharisees #scribes #liturgy #divineliturgy #apostolic #bookofjames #orthodox #sophia
