Celebrating the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem

On October 23, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem, also known as James the Just or James, the Brother of the Lord. St. James was a remarkable leader in the early Church, a man of deep prayer, wisdom, and steadfast faith. His legacy as bishop, teacher, and martyr continues to guide Christians today.

As we honor his life, we’re invited to reflect on the timeless words of the Epistle of James, a letter filled with practical wisdom and a call to live our faith through love, humility, and good works.

The Man Behind the Name

According to Eusebius of Caesarea, often called the father of church history, St. James came to faith after the risen Christ appeared to him. This post-resurrection encounter changed everything.

From there, Scripture and tradition paint a picture of a man wholly devoted to Christ and to the Church. In Acts 1:14, we find James among the disciples in the upper room, praying when the Holy Spirit descends at Pentecost. In 1 Corinthians 15:7–8, Paul records that the risen Jesus appeared to James before appearing to the apostles and to Paul himself.

In Galatians, Paul tells us that three years after his conversion, he returned to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and saw “no other apostle except James.” (Gal. 1:19) This encounter marks the beginning of James’s leadership role in the early Church.

A Pillar of the Church

Years later, Paul would return to Jerusalem and meet again with the Church’s leaders. In Galatians 2:9, he calls James, Peter, and John the “pillars of the Church.” He recalls how they extended to him and Barnabas “the right hand of fellowship,” affirming the grace God had given them and commissioning Paul to continue his ministry among the Gentiles.

This meeting reminds us that even in its earliest days, the Church was a community of collaboration and discernment, guided by the Holy Spirit and rooted in mutual encouragement.

The Council of Jerusalem

One of the defining moments of James’s ministry came during the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15), when the Church faced a major question: Must Gentile converts follow the full Mosaic law to be saved?

After listening to the testimony of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, James stood and spoke with wisdom and clarity. Citing Scripture, he affirmed that God Himself was calling the Gentiles to faith and that they should not be burdened with the full yoke of the law.

His judgment shaped the Church’s identity as a community open to all nations. Through James’s leadership, the Church recognized that salvation was through grace, not heritage or law.

Early Church historians record that James was the first bishop of Jerusalem, known for his holiness, humility, and righteousness. He lived a life of prayer and service amid famine, persecution, and hardship.

A Martyr’s Death

James’s faithfulness eventually cost him his life. According to the historian Josephus, during a gap in Roman governance, the high priest Ananus seized the moment to act against James. In AD 62 (or possibly 69), James was brought before the Jewish council and accused of breaking the law. He and several companions were condemned and stoned to death.

His martyrdom was a devastating loss for the early Church. Yet his witness, his quiet courage, his faith in Christ even unto death, became a foundation for generations to come.

“The Brother of the Lord”

The title “James, the Brother of the Lord” has stirred centuries of conversation and debate.

In the ancient world, the word “brother” was often used broadly, it could mean cousin, kin, or close relation. Because of this linguistic flexibility, Christian traditions have understood the relationship between Jesus and James in different ways.

Some, including the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, interpret “brother” as referring to a close relative or cousinrather than a biological sibling. Others, particularly in Protestant traditions, view James as a half-brother of Jesus, a son of Mary and Joseph born after Jesus.

What all traditions share, however, is the recognition that James’s faith was profound, that he knew Jesus deeply, both as teacher and as Lord.

The Epistle of James

Tradition attributes the Epistle of James to this same James of Jerusalem. Unlike the letters of Paul, which often deal with doctrine or church structure, James’s letter focuses on practical holiness, what faith looks like when it takes root in everyday life.

His call is simple yet searching:

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)

This epistle offers wisdom for every generation: patience in trials, humility in speech, justice in action, and compassion for the poor. It challenges us to live an active, embodied faith that reveals the character of Christ.

Symbols and Legacy

In art and iconography, St. James of Jerusalem is often depicted holding a book or scroll, representing his authorship of the Epistle of James and his role as a teacher of the Church.

He is the patron saint of Jerusalem, and the Cathedral of St. James, located in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City, is believed to stand near his burial site. Built during the 12th century on the ruins of a 5th-century church, it remains one of the few Crusader-era cathedrals to survive nearly intact.

Ways to Celebrate the Feast of St. James

If you’d like to honor this feast at home, here are a few simple and meaningful ways to do so:

Read the Epistle of James.

It’s short, just five chapters, but filled with wisdom. Take time to reflect on how it calls you to live your faith this week.

Write a Letter.

Since St. James gave us one of the New Testament’s letters, write your own. Send a note of encouragement or gratitude to someone who has shaped your faith.

Bake Lavash.

Explore Armenian culture and cuisine by making lavash, a traditional flatbread. It connects beautifully to the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem, where the Cathedral of St. James still stands.

the recipe -

Flatbread for the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem.pdf

Download PDF • 78KB

Lavash (Armenian Flat Bread)

First dough:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup plus a scant 1 Tablespoon lukewarm water

• ¼ teaspoon instant yeast

  
  

Second dough:

• 1 cup lukewarm water

• 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

• 2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 3 cups plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

  
  

Instructions

First dough:

Mix the flour, water, and yeast in a bowl using a rubber spatula until it forms a thick paste. Scrape the paste into a small, lightly oiled container, cover it, and let it sit out for 1½ to 2 hours. First, the dough should have doubled in volume.

Second dough:

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the first dough, water, oil, and salt. Squish the first dough with your hands to break it up in the water.

Add 1 cup of the flour and using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until the dough looks like pancake batter. Next, add the remaining flour and mix on low speed until fully incorporated. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let the dough sit for 20 minutes.

Remove the towel, attach the dough hook to the stand mixer, and mix the dough on medium speed until the dough releases from the sides of the bowl without sticking and feels smooth to the touch, about 4 minutes.

Lightly grease an 8-cup bowl and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 3 hours or until doubled in volume.

Dust a clean surface lightly with flour and place the dough on top. Cut the dough into 8 pieces.

Cup the palm of your hand over one portion at a time and move your hand in a circle. The friction from the counter will help form the dough into a ball.

Lightly oil a rimmed tray and place the dough on the tray, don’t let dough balls touch. Cover with plastic wrap lightly coated with cooking spray or oil. Let rest for 1 hour.

Dust a clean surface lightly with flour. Lightly flour a rolling pin and roll each ball of dough into a thin rectangle about 8×12 inches. Work in batches and keep the dough covered in between.

Place a large cast-iron pan (or griddle over two burners) over medium-high heat for a few minutes or until a sprinkle of water instantly evaporates.

Place the dough in the pan or over the griddle. Cook for 1 minute or until puffed slightly and blistered. Turn over using tongs to cook the other side, no more than 30 seconds. For extra browning, flip it over for 30 more seconds.

Transfer the lavash to a baking sheet and cover with a dry kitchen towel while you cook the rest of the dough.

Recipe courtesy of Silk Road Recipies.

Enjoy!

These flatbreads are a simple, fun way to celebrate the Feast of St. James of Jerusalem. As we honor this special man, may this tradition remind us of the goodness of God and the richness of our faith.