Saint James the Greater

St. James the Greater, one of the Twelve Apostles, was the son of Zebedee and Salome. He was a fisherman by trade and, along with his brother John, was called by Jesus to be a disciple. James witnessed many of Jesus' miracles and was present at the Transfiguration. After the Resurrection, he became an influential leader in the early Church. Tradition holds that he traveled to Spain to spread the Gospel, and his relics are venerated at the shrine of Santiago de Compostela. James is the patron saint of Spain, pilgrims, and against rheumatism. He was martyred around 44 AD, becoming the first apostle to be executed.