St. James the Greater and St. John, the sons of thunder, were both apostles and sons of Zebedee. It is believed that James was born at Bethsaida in Israel. James was a fisherman before Jesus called him and was one of the three privileged apostles who saw the transfiguration, the raising of the daughter of Jarius, and the agony in the garden. James was present at most of the miracles that Jesus performed.

He was put to death by Herod Agrippa I around the year 42 and was the first of the Twelve to be martyred. James the Greater is not the author of the letter nor was he the leader of the Jerusalem community. He is specially honored at Compostella in Spain where there is a famous church dedicated to his name. James is the patron of pilgrims, Spain, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.

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