ST. JAMES THE JUST, THE BROTHER OF OUR LORD (OCT. 23RD)

St. James in a Contemporary Icon, Leading the Liturgy that Bears His Name

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Saint James, known in Hebrew as "Jacob", is honored as the "Brother of our Lord", a title given in the Jewish custom of his time, recognizing him as a close kinsman of Jesus Christ. Tradition recounts two possible genealogies for him: one, that he was the child of Joseph from a prior marriage, and the other, that he was the son of Cleopas (Joseph’s brother) and his wife Mary, the first cousin of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Having taken upon himself the Nazirite vows, St. James was fully consecrated to God from his youth, earning the title “the Just” among the people for his singular devotion.

Referred to in the Scriptures as James the Lesser (Mark 15:40) to distinguish him from James the son of Zebedee, James was chosen by the Apostles to serve as the first Bishop of Jerusalem. In this role, he presided over the first Council of the Church, as described in Acts 15, where he provided resolution to the challenge of how Gentile converts should be received into the Faith. St. James is also credited with authoring the Epistle that bears his name, primarily directed to the Jewish converts, and he is honored as the composer of the first Divine Liturgy, the foundation from which all subsequent liturgies in the Christian tradition have grown.

Around the year 62, during the Passover, James ascended the Temple in Jerusalem and proclaimed Christ as the fulfillment of Israel, inspiring many to cry out, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Enraged, the Scribes and Pharisees, fearing a mass conversion to the new Faith, cast him down from the pinnacle. Sustained by God’s grace, he survived the fall, kneeling to pray, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do,” as his Master had done. Moments later, he was struck down and martyred by a club. His faithful witness, profound teaching, and loving mercy continue to inspire all those who seek a life wholly consecrated to the service of God.

COLLECT

Almighty God, who didst inspire thy holy servant James, the Brother of our Lord, with singular piety, and didst raise him to be the first shepherd of thy Church in Jerusalem: Grant that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may follow his example of holiness and devotion, and bear a faithful witness to thy truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.