Miyazya 17 — April 25

Saint James the Apostle, the Brother of John

Today we remember Saint James the Apostle, one of the helpers who walked closest to Jesus. James was the brother of John, and they were both very dear friends of the Lord.

After Jesus went up to heaven, James traveled far away to a land called Asia to tell people the good news about God. Many different tribes lived in that land, big family groups, and they spoke many different languages. But God gave James a special gift: he could understand every language he heard. He could even understand the sounds of sheep, cattle, and birds. The Holy Spirit helped him, so no one was a stranger to him.

James taught each tribe in their own words. He told them to stop following pretend gods and to love the one true God, and His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He told them something kind and important too:

The people listened with happy hearts. They believed in Jesus, and James built a church for each tribe and baptized them. Everyone rejoiced together. Then James gave them one more loving lesson: to share the first and best of their crops and animals with the church, so there would always be food for people who were poor.

A powerful ruler named Herod grew angry, because the people were sharing with the poor and the church instead of paying him. Herod was cruel to James, and James gave his life rather than stop loving Jesus. He became a martyr. James was not afraid, because he knew he was going home to God, where he would live forever with a beautiful crown in heaven.

Herod also put Saint Peter, the leader of the apostles, into prison. But do not worry. God's angel would soon come to help, and Peter was kept safe. Loving friends gently carried James and laid him to rest, and the church has remembered this brave, kind helper of Jesus ever since.

Give not all your goods to the kings of the earth, but give some to the poor for the salvation of your souls.— Saint James the Apostle

Salutation to the brother of John, the Apostle and Evangelist, James, the glory and ornament of the Church.