Post 7 – James the Greater – the would be Pilgrim disciple called James!
James was obviously a popular name in Biblical times – out of a team of 12 disciples there were two James’, James the Just and James the Greater – plus another thrice times mentioned follower now known as James the Lesser who may – or may not actually be the same man as James the Just – most confusing!
This post is about James the Greater, aka the son of Zebedee the Fisherman and brother of Apostle John! Interestingly both brothers, James and John, were also referred to as “Sons of Thunder” because of their fiery tempers – so there were clearly a few disagreements – even amongst the chosen – and there is a suggestion that an outburst of his temper may have led to his death – as he upset Herod Agrippa who subsequently had James beheaded by sword.
Saint James, in Spanish St Iago, has become the Patron Saint of Spain and according to legend, his remains are held at the end of the famous pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (Spain).
There is later legend of St James as the Moor Slayer – as quoted by Cervantes in Don Quixote “St James the Moorslayer, one of the most valiant saints and knights the world ever had … has been given by God to Spain for its patron and protection” and a story that he miraculously appeared at the battle of Clavijo – in 844 – so nearly 800 years after he died – and he thundered in and helped win the battle on behalf of the Christians!
In Christian iconography James is usually depicted as a pilgrim with a staff, as shown below , or with the pilgrim symbol of scallop shells as shown on his hat in the Rembrandt painting at the top, so he can be recognised in paintings by these attributes .
As for his Death – James did not die in peaceful old age like his younger brother John, but was reputedly the first of the apostles to die for their faith . He is the only apostle whose martyrdom is recorded in the New Testament -specifically The Acts of the Apostles -which describes him as being martyred by King Herod Agrippa I in the year 44 by being put to death with the sword.
The mystery is that – although his trip to Spain was planned – his death is recorded in AD44 before he had left Jerusalem to go to the Iberian Peninsula, – so it has been suggested that his entire pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was created by after the discovery his relics , nearly 800 years after his death, in the time of king Alfonso II (791-842) .
The story of how the headless body found it’s way to in a rudderless, unattended boat to Iria Flavia in Iberia, where a massive rock closed around his relics, (which were only later removed to Compostela) does beggar belief.
Nonetheless as the authenticity of the relics at Compostela was asserted in the Bull of Pope Leo XIII, Omnipotens Deus, of 1 November 1884 more than 125,00 pilgrims still register annually to complete at least the final 100 km part of the Pilgrimage to Santiago!
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