St. James the Brother of the Lord
St. James, called the Brother of the Lord, was the son of Righteous Joseph the Betrothed and became the first bishop of Jerusalem, appointed by the Lord Himself according to tradition.
So renowned for his righteousness that he was called "the Just" even by his fellow Jews, he presided over the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), wrote the first of the catholic epistles of the New Testament, and composed the earliest form of the Divine Liturgy that bears his name. Around the year 62 he was cast down from the wing of the Temple by the scribes and Pharisees for confessing Christ, and, still praying for his murderers, was beaten to death with a fuller's club.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Why do you ask me concerning Jesus, the Son of Man? He Himself sits in heaven at the right hand of the great Power, and is about to come on the clouds of heaven.
Troparion · Tone 4
As the Lord's disciple you received the Gospel, O Just one; as a martyr you have unfailing courage; as the Brother of the Lord, you have boldness; as a hierarch, you are able to intercede. Entreat Christ God that our souls may be saved.
Kontakion · Tone 4
When God the Word, the Only-begotten of the Father, came to dwell among us in these latter days, He declared you, O glorious James, to be the first shepherd and teacher of Jerusalem and a faithful steward of spiritual Mysteries. Therefore, we all honor you, O Apostle.
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