St james

July 25: Saint James, Apostle, brother of Saint John, first Apostle to Iberia, modern day Spain, and first of the Apostles to be martyred.

9) Seat of Wisdom Statue at St. James Cathedral – Seattle, WA

The lovely and historic St. James Cathedral in the First Hill neighborhood is a joy to visit. Its exterior and its interior are really beautiful. The interior is filled with magnificent stained glass windows and some lovely religious art. The cathedral is one of the most serene places in Seattle. This statue of Mary and Jesus in the courtyard is ethereal. I want to tiptoe past the statue so I won't disturb the scene. For more information and photos about exploring Seattle, please visit our…

Carved in marble in Pietrasanta, Italy, this statue of Mary under the title of “Seat of Wisdom” was shipped to the U.S. in 1936 and stood at St. Edward’s Seminary in Kenmore, Wash…

The eldest son of Joseph’s first marriage, Apostle James The Brother of Our Lord is celebrated with Joseph and King David in the days following Nativity. He accompanied the Holy Family into Egypt and returned with them to Israel. After the Lord’s Ascension, James became the first bishop of Jerusalem, greatly esteemed by Christians and Jews alike. Because he preached the godliness of Jesus, he was thrown from the roof of Jerusalem Temple, becoming a martyr. He is celebrated Oct 23 and Dec 31.

Statue of Philip in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran by Giuseppe Mazzuoli

Saint James, one of the favored three Apostles, witnessed the Transfiguration and was the first apostle to be martyred.

GRANT, O merciful God, that, as thine holy Apostle Saint James, leaving his father and all that he had, without delay was obedient unto the calling of thy Son Jesus Christ, and followed him; so we, forsaking all worldly and carnal affections, may be evermore read to follow thy holy commandments; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Matt. xx. 20. THEN came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And ho said unto her…

Sometimes in life we feel that we need a miracle to help us. However, we also know somebody is always there to intercede for us and help.

Liturgically, we begin the new civil year on January 1st with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God which is an ancient feast we share the celebration of during the Christmas season with our brethern in some of the Orthodox communities. The title “Mother of God” is a western derivation from the Greek: Theotokos, the God-bearer. The term “Theotokos” was adopted at the Council of Ephesus (431 AD) as a way to assert the Divinity of Christ, from which it follows that what is predicated of Christ…