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The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity


from its origins to circa AD 700, across the entire Christian world


Name

James, the Apostle, son of Zebedee

Saint ID

S00108

Number in BH

BHG 767-768

Reported Death Not Before

40

Reported Death Not After

50

Gender
Male
Type of Saint
Twelve Apostles and Paul, Martyrs, Miracle-workers in lifetime, Missionaries
Related Evidence Records
IDTitle
E00172Eusebius of Caesarea, in his Ecclesiastical History (2.8.2-2.9.3), recounts the martyrdom of *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee, S00108) combining information from the Acts of the Apostles and the Hypotyposes of Clement of Alexandria (late 2nd c.). Account, written in Greek in Palestine in 311/325.
E00456The Piacenza Pilgrim records his visit to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where he saw the tombs of *Pelagia the Penitent (recluse of Jerusalem, 5th c., S00250), *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee,S00108) or *James ('brother of the Lord', S00058), *Cleophas (pupil of Jesus, S00249), and other unnamed saints. Account of an anonymous pilgrim, written in Latin, probably in Placentia (northern Italy), c. 560.
E01338The church of Panagia Kanakaria at Lythrankomi (north-eastern Cyprus) houses a mosaic with depictions of Christ, *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), unnamed *Archangels (almost certainly *Michael, S00181, and *Gabriel, S00192), and with labelled depictions of *Apostles and *Evangelists. Probably 525-550.
E01397The early 5th c. Syriac Martyrology commemorates on 27 December the martyrdom of *John (the Apostle and Evangelist, S00042) and *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee, S00108). Preserved in a manuscript written in Edessa (northern Mesopotamia) in 411.
E01808Gregory of Nyssa composes his Encomium on *Basil (bishop of Caesarea, ob. 379, S00780), which he delivers during the saint’s festival on 1 January. Basil’s memory is added to a series of major feasts, namely Christmas, *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), and the Apostles *Peter (S00036), *James (S00108),*John (S00042), and *Paul (S00008). The author argues that Basil deserves to be honoured after these figures. He mentions miracles during Basil’s life. Written in Greek in Cappadocia (central Asia Minor), in the 380s.
E01831Gregory of Nyssa in his Second Encomium on *Stephen the First Martyr (S00030), written in 386, refers to the feasts of Stephen, and of the Apostles *Peter (S00036), *James (S00108), and *John (S00042), probably celebrated on 26 and 27 December. Composed in Greek in Cappadocia (central Asia Minor).
E01904Gregory of Nazianzus in his Oration 4 (Against Julian I), of 362/363, refers to the deaths of martyrs, naming the Apostles *John (S00042), *Peter (S00036), *Paul (S00008), and *James (S00108), *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), *Luke (the Evangelist, S00442), *Andrew (the Apostle, S00288), and *Thekla (follower of the Apostle Paul, S00092). He refers to the festivals held in their honour and the miracles effected by their bodily remains. Written in Greek at Nazianzus (central Asia Minor).
E02145Asterius of Amasea, in his Homily XII, On *Stephen the First Martyr (S00030), delivered on the saint’s festival on 26 December, presents a contemplation on the story and martyrdom of Stephen. Written in Greek at Amaseia/Amasea of Pontus (northern Asia Minor), in the late 4th or early 5th c..
E02203Calendar of the Church of Carthage (central North Africa) lists saints whose liturgical commemorations were celebrated in December. Written in Latin in Carthage, probably between 505 and 535.
E03473The early seventh-century Georgian version of the Lectionary of Jerusalem commemorates on 29 December *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee, S00108) and *John (Apostle and Evangelist, S00042).
E03725The Church Calendar of Ioane Zosime, compiled in Georgian in the 10th c., based however on 5th-7th c. prototypes from Palestine, commemorates on 30 April *Paul (the Apostle, S00008), *Basiliskos and Eutropios (martyrs of Pontus, S00388 and S01152), *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee, S00108).
E03975The Church Calendar of Ioane Zosime, compiled in Georgian in the 10th c., based however on 5th-7th c. prototypes from Palestine, commemorates on 31 December *Boas (martyr of Hierapolis under Aurelian, S01669), *Zotikos (martyr and 'nourisher of orphans', S01064), *John (Apostle and Evangelist, S00042), *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee, S00108), and *Markellos (abbot in Constantinople, 5th c. S01670).
E04391A now lost Greek homily ascribed to John Chrysostom refers to the feast of the apostles *Peter (S00036), *James (the son of Zebedee, S00108), and *John (S00042), most probably delivered on their feast in late December. It is quoted by Eustratius of Constantinople, in his tract On the State of the Souls after Death, written at Constantinople, in 582/602.
E04891The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 24 July.
E04892The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 25 July.
E05018The 6th/7th c. recension of the Latin Martyrologium Hieronymianum, as transmitted in 8th c. manuscripts, records the feasts of a number of saints on 13 November.
E05169The Latin Calendar of Sinai records the feasts of saints through the year, followed by a list of the apostles to various regions of Christianity. Written possibly in North Africa, possibly in the 7th/8th c.; preserved in a manuscript, probably of the 9th c., in St Catherine's monastery, Sinai. Basic Entry.
E05813Agnellus of Ravenna, in his Liber Pontificalis Ecclesiae Ravennatis, written in Latin, quotes a 6th c. Latin inscription from a monasterium dedicated to *Matthew (Apostle and Evangelist, S00791). He claims this monasterium and another, dedicated to *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee, S00108), were founded in Classe (near Ravenna, northern Italy) in 557/570. Account written in Ravenna in 830/846.
E05857The Calendar of Willibrord, in its earliest version, records the feasts of various saints in July. Written in Latin at Echternach, Frisia (north-east Gaul), 703/710.
E05950Mosaic roundels on the barrel vaults of the Cappella Arcivescovile of Ravenna (northern Italy), with portrait busts of twelve apostles and twelve martyrs (six female, six male); created 494/520.
E06047Mosaics in San Vitale, Ravenna (northern Italy), depicting *Vitalis (soldier and martyr of Ravenna, S02826), and busts of the *Apostles and *Gervasius and Protasius (brothers and martyrs of Milan, S00313); created c. 549.
E06245Venantius Fortunatus, in a poem on virginity (8.3), when describing the court of heaven lists numerous saints with the cities of their resting-place. Written in Latin in Gaul, probably in the early 570s.
E06922Aldhelm, in his poem On the Altars of the Twelve Apostles, records the dedication of an altar to *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee, S00108), presumably in Britain. Written in Latin in southern Britain, 670/710.
E07237Caesarius, bishop of Arles, in his Sermon 221, On the Feast of the Apostles James and John, celebrates the feast of *John (Apostle and Evangelist, S00042). Written in Latin at Arles (southern Gaul), 503/542.
E07532Partially preserved Latin inscription commemorating martyrs of uncertain identity, found at Maktar (Byzacena, central North Africa), 4th/7th c.
E07748List of relics and diptych from the monastery of the Holy *Apostles (S02422) and *Martyrs (S02818) at Arles (southern Gaul), giving the names of saints whose relics were deposited in the monastery and the people for whom prayers were to be offered in the liturgy. The list contains the names of all the Apostles, as well as *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033), *John the Baptist (S00020), and *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), together with four Gallic martyrs, *Genesius (martyr of Arles, S00263), *Symphorianus (martyr of Autun, S00322), *Baudilius (martyr of Nîmes, S00383), and *Victor (martyr of Marseille, S00382), and three Gallic bishops, *Hilary (bishop of Poitiers, ob. 367, S00183), *Martin (ascetic and bishop of Tours, ob. 397, S00050), and *Caesarius (bishop of Arles, ob. 542, S00491). Written in Latin at Arles, in 600/650.
E08222The Gothic Missal compiles liturgical texts for the celebration of saints' feasts throughout the year. Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710. Overview entry.
E08224The Gothic Missal includes prayers for the celebration of mass on the feast day of *James (the Apostle, son of Zebedee, S00108) and *John (the Apostle and Evangelist, S00042). Written in Latin in Gaul, perhaps at Luxeuil for the Christian community of Autun, c. 680/710.
E0831535 relic labels at Sens (northern Gaul), datable by their script to the 7th or 8th c., for relics of a great diversity of saints. Written in Latin, perhaps at Sens, or at an earlier stage in their transmission.
E08335The Bobbio Missal compiles liturgical texts for the celebration of saints' feasts throughout the year. Written in Latin in south-east Gaul, perhaps at or near Vienne, c. 675/725.
E08343The coffin of *Cuthbert (bishop and anchorite of Lindisfarne, ob. 687, S01955) is constructed of oak and decorated with images of the archangels, apostles, evangelists and *Mary (mother of Christ, S00033), whose names are inscribed in Latin (some with runic letters). Made for the saint's translation at Lindisfarne, 698.
E08570Mosaic of Christ flanked by the twelve *Apostles (S02422), on the triumphal arch over the central apse of the basilica of Eufrasius at Poreč (ancient Parentium) on Istria. Datable to the mid-6th c.