Apostle James (son of Zebedee)

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle James was a son of Zebedee, the brother of the Apostle John and a fisherman. The Church remembers St. James on April 30.

At the invitation of Jesus he left his nets to follow him and is counted among the Twelve Great Apostles. Belonging to Christ's 'inner circle', James was present on Mount Tabor for Christ's transfiguration and also for his suffering in the garden of Gethsemane. Following Pentecost, St. James preached in Spain and upon his return to Jerusalem the Jews would argue with him vehemently concering the Holy Scriptures. None could withstand his wisdom, however.

Seeing this the Jews slandered him before Herod and among some false witnesses there was a certain Josias. But in hearing St. James' testimony, Josias believed and was condemned to death with James. Before the axe fell, St. James embraced and kissed this repentant false witness and said, "Peace and forgiveness to you!" St. James was martyred in the year 45 AD. His body was translated to Spain where his relics continue to work miracles even to this day.

Source

• St. Nikolai Velimirovic, The Prologue of Ohrid