Apostle
James the Brother of Saint John the Theologian
James the Apostle and brother of St. John the Theologian
New Calendar April 30 Old Calendar May 13
Why they are a saint
The son of Zebedee and brother of John, he was one of the Twelve. At the call of the Lord Jesus, he left his fishing nets and his father and, together with John, immediately followed Christ. He was one of the three apostles to whom the Lord revealed the greatest mysteries: before whom He was transfigured on Tabor and before whom He was in agony in the Garden of Gethsemane before His Passion.
Life
Saint James, son of Zebedee and brother of Saint John the Theologian, was one of the Twelve Apostles; the Lord called the two brothers 'Sons of Thunder'. With Peter and John he witnessed the raising of Jairus' daughter, the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and the Lord's agony in Gethsemane.
After Pentecost he preached in Spain and other lands and returned to Jerusalem, boldly proclaiming Christ. The sorcerer Hermogenes, hired to dispute with him, was himself converted, burned his books of magic and was baptized.
At the urging of the Jews, Herod Agrippa had him arrested and sentenced to death (Acts 12:1-2). Josiah, one of the false witnesses, was moved by his courage, repented, and was beheaded with him at Jerusalem in the year 44. James was the first of the Apostles to die as a martyr.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take James the Brother of Saint John the Theologian as a patron when they bear the name James at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on April 30. Those who share his calling as a missionary also ask his prayers.
Prayer
O holy James the Brother of Saint John the Theologian, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.