Friday, October 9

Apostolic · 1st century

Apostle James, Son of Alphaeus

One of the Twelve Apostles of Christ

James the son of Alphaeus was one of the Twelve Apostles chosen by the Lord, named in all four New Testament lists of the Twelve (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13). The Gospels record little else about him individually, and church tradition distinguishes him both from James the son of Zebedee and from James the Brother of the Lord. Some traditions identify him as a brother of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, who is also called the son of Alphaeus. After Pentecost, according to the traditions preserved in the Church, James preached the Gospel in Judea and then in other lands — accounts mention Edessa, Gaza, and Egypt — sowing the word of God and working signs. He is said to have ended his apostolic labors as a martyr, with tradition holding that he was crucified for his preaching of Christ.

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