SAINT JAMES THE BROTHER OF THE LORD

SAINT JAMES THE BROTHER OF THE LORD – St. James was a half-brother (or perhaps a cousin) of the Lord, and was the first Bishop of the Church at Jerusalem, being called by St. Paul a pillar of that Church, together with Peter and John ^{(Gal. 2:9)}. At the first general Church council, the Council of Jerusalem, James is depicted as having a leading role ^{(Acts 15:12-21)}. Having ruled the Church in Jerusalem wisely (for which reason he is often called the Just), St. James was martyred there. Being taken to the top of the Temple wall, he was commanded to convince the people to turn away from Christ, which he refused to do, speaking to them in quite the opposite manner. Thereupon he was thrown down from that high point to the ground, where he was stoned and beaten to death. The Epistle of St. James is attributed to him and his Feast Day is celebrated on October 23.