Saint James Day: Apostle, Pilgrim, and Patron Saint of Spain In the height of summer, when the sun is at its zenith and the fields on the Iberian Peninsula are dyed gold, comes a day that means much more to millions of people around the world than just a date on the calendar. July 25th — Saint James Day, an apostle whose life, death, and posthumous fame are intertwined with the history of entire nations. It is a day when not just one of the twelve disciples of Christ is remembered, but the first apostle-martyr, whose relics were discovered in distant Galicia, turning it into the third most important pilgrimage center in the Christian world after Jerusalem and Rome. Who is this James, why is his day celebrated on July 25th, and what lies behind the mysterious phrase "The Way of Santiago"? Let us trace the path of this extraordinary saint — from the Sea of Galilee to the cathedral in Compostela and beyond, into eternity. Son of Thunder: From Fisherman to One of Jesus' Closest Disciples The future apostle was born in Galilee, in the family of a fisherman Zebedee and his wife Salome. He had a younger brother John, the same one who later became an evangelist and the beloved disciple of Christ. Together with their father, they fished in the waters of the Sea of Galilee until one day Jesus approached their boat. The call was brief and unyielding: "Follow Me." Without hesitation, the brothers left their nets, boat, and father to follow the Teacher. This moment became the beginning of their new path. Among the apostles, James held a special place. Along with his brother John and the apostle Peter, he was part of the so-called "inner circle" — the three disciples whom Jesus drew closer to himself than the others. It was they who were witnesses to the greatest miracles: the resurrection of Jairus' daughter, when the Savior brought a dead girl back to life; the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, where Jesus appeared in divine glory surrounded by Moses and Elijah; and finally, ... Read more