Santiago de Compestela
July 25, 2018
Today's feast of St. James (the greater), commemorates the first of Jesus' apostles to meet with martyrdom.
Called James the Greater because he was called by Jesus before James, Son of Alphaeus and to distinguish him from St. James the Just, the cathedral of Santiago (a local corruption of the Latin for St. James) de Compestela containing his relics became a site of pilgrimage from the earliest days of the church.
James is therefore a patron of pilgrims and is sometimes depicted clothed as one. His immediate readiness to follow Jesus and his courage in defending the faith are examples in every age.
Cathedral of Santiago de Compestela.