Man and Church
St. James and His Extraordinary Act of Brotherly Love
An ancient Orthodox tradition tells how James offered Jesus part of his inheritance when his brothers refused, revealing a remarkable act of generosity.
On November 5 (Oct. 23 o.s.), the Church celebrates the memory of the Holy Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord. St. James was one of the Seventy Apostles mentioned in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. He is distinct from the two apostles of the same name from among the Twelve: James, son of Zebedee (and brother of St. John the Theologian) and James, son of Alphaeus.
St. James is mentioned by name several times in Scripture. He is listed as one of Christ’s brothers, along with Joseph (Joses), Simon (Symeon), and Jude (Matt. 13:55, Mk. 6:3). St. Paul calls him “the Lord’s brother” (Gal. 1:19). He is traditionally believed to be the first Bishop of Jerusalem and the author of the Epistle of James.
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