James the Brother of the Lord

Holy Apostle James the Brother of the Lord, first Bishop of Jerusalem.

James was the son of Joseph the Betrothed and is called the Brother of the Lord. He was chosen by the apostles as the first Bishop of Jerusalem, presided at the Apostolic Council, and composed the Epistle that bears his name and the earliest form of the Divine Liturgy.

Called the Just even by the Jews for his ascetic life, he was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple and clubbed to death around the year 62 for confessing Christ.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, James the Brother of the Lord is commemorated on October 23. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on November 5 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Iakovos, Iakov, Jacob, James, Jakob, Jacovos

Also commemorated on October 23

• 

  Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople

  Hierarch, Ιγνάτιος

  St. Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople.

  Name days: Ignatios, Ignatius

• Makarios the Roman

  Venerable, Μακάριος ο Ρωμαίος

  Venerable Makarios the Roman, hermit of Mesopotamia.

• Petronios the Venerable

  Venerable, Πετρώνιος

  Venerable Petronios, disciple of Saint Pachomios.

• Nikephoros the Venerable

  Venerable, Νικηφόρος

  Venerable Nikephoros.

• Two Children Martyrs

  Saint, Άγια Δύο Παιδιά

  Two holy child martyrs who suffered for Christ.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.