No. 009Christianity

St James the Greater

Santiago

Fisherman-apostle and patron of pilgrims, whose shell marks the road to Compostela

James, son of Zebedee, was a Galilean fisherman who left his nets, together with his brother John, to follow Jesus. Jesus called the pair Boanerges, the sons of thunder. Around the year 44, under Herod Agrippa I, James became the first apostle to die for his faith. Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans and other Christians venerate him.

Devotees turn to Santiago as patron of pilgrims and of Spain. Tradition holds that he rests at Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, and since the Middle Ages pilgrims have walked the Camino de Santiago, the Way of St James, to his shrine. People of many faiths and none walk it today. He is pictured as one of them, with hat, staff, gourd and scallop shell.

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St James the Greater

How to recognise St James the Greater

  1. Scallop shellLook for one or more shells on his hat brim or cape; this is his key badge and the sign of the Compostela pilgrim.
  2. Broad-brimmed hatA wide pilgrim's hat shows him as a traveller on the road, one of the walkers who follow the Camino to his shrine.
  3. Pilgrim's staffA tall staff, the bordón, often with a hook or knob, speaks of the long walk and of steady support on the way.
  4. Water gourdA dried-gourd bottle hangs from the staff or his belt, a simple traveller's provision.
  5. Shoulder cape and mantleA short cape, the esclavina, over a long tunic and mantle gives him the plain dress of a pilgrim.
  6. Closed bookSometimes he holds a closed book, which stands for the Gospel he followed and preached as an apostle.
  7. Bearded, kindly faceHe is an adult man with a beard and a calm, steady, kindly expression.

Names and titles

  • Patron of PilgrimsPatron saint of pilgrims and of the Camino de Santiago
  • Son of ThunderJesus surnamed James and John 'Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder' (Mark 3:17 KJV)
  • The Way of St JamesThe Camino, the pilgrim roads across Europe to his shrine at Compostela
  • Sign of the Scallop ShellThe pilgrim's badge; legend tells of a rider who rose from the sea covered in shells as James's ship arrived
  • Santiago PeregrinoSaint James the Pilgrim, his pilgrim form

Feast days

  • Feast of St James the Apostle25 July, every year
  • Translation of the Relics of St James30 December, every year

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Sources

  1. Wikipedia: James the Great
  2. Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): St. James the Greater
  3. Christian Iconography: James the Greater
  4. Wikipedia: Camino de Santiago
  5. Wikipedia: Saint James the Moor-slayer
  6. Wikipedia: Jacobean holy year
  7. Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela: Pilgrimage
  8. Wikipedia (Spanish): Santiago el Mayor
  9. King James Version of the Bible (Project Gutenberg eBook #10)

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