James (son of Zebedee)

For people and places called Saint James, see the disambiguation page.

Saint James the Greater
Saint James the Elder by Rembrandt He is depicted clothed as a pilgrim; note the scallop shell on his shoulder and his staff and pilgrim's hat beside him his symbol is also the carpenter saw.
Apostle and Martyr
Born	1st century Bethsaida, Galilee
Died	44 AD Judea
Venerated in	All Christianity
Canonized	Pre-Congregation
Major shrine	Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia (Spain)
Feast	25 July (Western Christianity) 30 April (Eastern Christianity) 30 December (Hispanic Church)
Attributes	Scallop, Pilgrim's hat
Patronage	Places Acoma Pueblo, Sahuayo, Santiago de Querétaro, Galicia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Spain Professions Veterinarians, equestrians, furriers, tanners, pharmacists

Saint James, son of Zebedee (death 44 AD) was one of the apostles of Jesus. He was the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of John the Evangelist. He is called Saint James the Greater to distinguish (mark as different) him from the other apostle named James (James, son of Alphaeus). James is described as one of the first disciples who joined Jesus. The Synoptic Gospels tell that James and John were with their father by the seashore when Jesus called them to begin traveling (Mt.4:21–22, Mk.1:19–20). According to Mark, James and John were called Boanerges, or the "Sons of Thunder" (3:17). Acts of the Apostles 12:1–2 records that King Herod had James executed by sword (Ac.12:1–2). He was likely the first of the apostles martyred for his faith.