Saint James: 'Greater' in what sense?



Saint James the Elder (by Rembrandt)

James, son of Zebedee (and allegedly of Mary Salome), has been called ‘Greater’ for centuries.

Wikipedia reports that Zebedee was a somewhat well-off

fisherman – and that Mary Salome (alleged sister of Mary,

mother of Jesus) was one of the three women present at the

Crucifixion.  James the Greater is also said to be the brother

of John the Apostle (the last of the 12 Apostles to survive and the alleged author of the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation).

Wikipedia also explains that the English name “James” is

derived from the Latin name Iacobus, which in turn is derived from the Hebrew name Ya’akov (“Jacob”).  Other variations of this name include Giacomo (Italian), Jacques (French), Jaime (Spanish), and Iago (Iberian Spanish).  The familiar Spanish name Santiago therefore means “Saint James.” 

James the Greater is also sometimes referred to (along with his brother, John) as one of the “Sons of Thunder.”  It has been suggested that this is because of their fiery natures.  It has also been suggested (by R. E. Nixon) that James’ fiery temper might have been a factor in his relatively early martyrdom.  James, the Patron Saint of Spain, has also been referred to as Matamoros (“The Moorslayer”).  This is in reference to James’ alleged role in the Battle of Clavijo (which took place 800 years after James’ 44 CE martyrdom).

Although James the Greater is heralded for many reasons (he was one of the first Apostles, one of only three Apostles with Jesus at the Transfiguration, and believed to be the very first Apostle to be matyred for the faith) – his connection with Spain remains particularly strong.  His remains are allegedly buried at Galicia, Spain’s Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.  Therefore, the Way of Saint James - a more than thousand-

year-old pilgrimage route across much of Europe – culminates there.

Much of this is certainly cause for considering Saint James to be “Great” – although not necessarily “Greater” than the other Apostles.  He is called “James the Greater” to simply distinguish him from the either shorter or younger Apostle, “James the Less.”

Resources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James,_son_of_Zebedee  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salome_(disciple)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Apostle

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Clavijo

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Way_of_St._James

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_the_Less

Copyright July 25, 2011 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved