St. James the Greater, also known as James, son of Zebedee, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is often distinguished from James the Less, another apostle, by the title “Greater” due to his prominence and possibly his older age.

Born in Bethsaida, Galilee, James was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman, and Salome, and the brother of John the Apostle. He was part of Jesus’ inner circle, along with Peter and John, witnessing pivotal moments such as the Transfiguration and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Known for his zealous and passionate nature, James played a significant role in the early Christian community.

He became the first apostle to be martyred, executed by beheading under the orders of King Herod Agrippa I around 44 AD. According to medieval legend, his followers transported his remains to the Iberian Peninsula, where he was buried in what is now Santiago de Compostela, Spain, a site that has become one of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations.

Timeline of St. James the Greater

The following timeline traces the life and enduring legacy of St. James the Greater, one of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles. Known for his close association with Jesus and his early martyrdom, James the Greater’s influence extends far beyond his lifetime, particularly through the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago, which leads to his alleged burial site in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

This timeline highlights key events from his birth in the 1st century BC to the modern resurgence of the pilgrimage in the 21st century, illustrating the significant historical and cultural impact of St. James the Greater.

If you need this timeline information in a table format, jump to the St. James Table of Historical Events

James in Jesus’ Inner Circle

James earned his place in Jesus’ closest circle through his unwavering dedication. The Gospels often mention him alongside Peter and John, present at crucial moments in Christ’s ministry. Scripture reveals James’s fiery temperament—Jesus nicknamed him and his brother John “Boanerges” or “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17), likely due to their passionate nature.

This zealousness manifested when James and John asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to consume a Samaritan village that had rejected them (Luke 9:54). On another occasion, their mother requested that they sit at Jesus’s right and left hands in his kingdom (Matthew 20:21), displaying ambitious aspirations that needed tempering.

Despite his impetuous nature, James’s devotion to Jesus never wavered. He witnessed the raising of Jairus’s daughter, the Transfiguration where Christ’s divine glory was revealed, and stayed with Jesus during his anguished prayer in Gethsemane before the crucifixion—moments reserved only for Jesus’s most trusted companions.

Even in a biblical context, identifying James is not straightforward. There is often confusion between St. James the Greater and James the Lesser, as both were apostles of Jesus and shared the same name. Additionally, James the Greater has been known by various names throughout history, having received many titles over time.

Spanish Missionary Legends

While the Bible doesn’t record James’s activities after Christ’s ascension, rich traditions emerged about his missionary work. According to Spanish legend, around 40 AD, James traveled to the Iberian Peninsula to spread the Gospel in what is now Spain. His preaching journey reportedly took him to various regions, including Galicia in northwestern Spain.

However, the mission proved challenging. Some accounts suggest he only converted a handful of people before returning to Jerusalem, where he met his martyrdom. One popular legend tells of the Virgin Mary appearing to James on the banks of the Ebro River in Zaragoza, standing upon a pillar and encouraging him to continue his difficult mission. This apparition gave rise to the basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar, one of Spain’s most important religious sites.

While historians debate the historical accuracy of these missionary journeys, these narratives became deeply embedded in Spanish religious identity and cultural heritage.

From Jerusalem to Compostela

The story of how James’s remains arrived in Spain contains elements of the miraculous. According to medieval tradition, after his beheading in Jerusalem, his disciples collected his body and head. Fearing persecution, they placed his remains in a stone boat without sails or oars, which was guided by divine providence across the Mediterranean Sea and around the Iberian Peninsula to Galicia.

The boat came ashore at Iria Flavia (modern-day Padrón), where his body was buried in a Roman cemetery. For centuries, the location of James’s tomb was forgotten until the early 9th century, when a hermit named Pelayo observed strange lights hovering over a field—a phenomenon described as a “field of stars” or “campus stellae,” which later evolved into “Compostela.”

Bishop Theodemir investigated and declared the tomb to be that of St. James. King Alfonso II of Asturias ordered a chapel built over the site, which would eventually grow into the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela we know today. The current Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela is the custodian of the tomb and relics.

Santiago Matamoros: The Warrior Saint

Perhaps the most dramatic legend associated with St. James occurred centuries after his death. During the Spanish Reconquista—the centuries-long campaign to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Moorish rule—St. James reportedly appeared as a warrior on a white horse during the Battle of Clavijo in 844 AD.

This vision of “Santiago Matamoros” (St. James the Moor-slayer) is said to have inspired Christian troops to victory. The battle cry “¡Santiago y cierra, España!” (“St. James and strike, Spain!”) became a rallying call for Spanish forces. This warrior aspect of St. James became an important symbol throughout the Reconquista period, with the apostle depicted as Spain’s patron and protector.

While modern historians question whether the Battle of Clavijo actually occurred as described in legend, the image of Santiago Matamoros became deeply embedded in Spanish iconography, appearing in numerous churches and artworks throughout Spain and Latin America.

The Scallop Shell and Walking Staff

St. James is immediately recognizable in religious art through his distinctive attributes. He is typically depicted wearing pilgrim’s attire: a wide-brimmed hat, a cloak, and carrying a walking staff and a water gourd. Most prominently, he is associated with the scallop shell (vieira), which has become the primary symbol of the Camino de Santiago.

The shell has multiple symbolic meanings. Practically, it served as a cup for pilgrims to drink water from streams. Symbolically, its grooves represent the various pilgrimage routes converging at Santiago. Legend also tells that when St. James’s body washed ashore in Spain, it was covered in scallop shells.

Today, the yellow scallop shell on a blue background marks the pilgrimage routes throughout Europe, guiding modern travelers just as it did medieval pilgrims. Pilgrims often carry an actual shell attached to their backpack or walking staff as a badge of their journey.

Walking in James’s Footsteps

While pilgrimage to Santiago diminished after the Protestant Reformation and the tumult of European wars, the late 20th century witnessed a remarkable revival of interest in the Camino. What began as a trickle of a few thousand pilgrims per year in the 1970s has swelled to over 300,000 annually in recent years.

The modern pilgrim’s experience differs from medieval times yet maintains essential traditions. To receive the Compostela (the official certificate of pilgrimage completion), travelers must walk at least 100 kilometers (or cycle 200 kilometers) and collect stamps in a credential or “pilgrim passport” along the way. Upon reaching Santiago, many observe traditions such as embracing the statue of St. James inside the cathedral, visiting his tomb in the crypt below, and attending the Pilgrim’s Mass.

What’s changed is the pilgrims’ motivations. While religious devotion remains important for many, others walk for cultural, historical, or personal reasons—seeking clarity, marking life transitions, or simply enjoying the physical challenge and camaraderie of the trail. The Camino has become a path for spiritual seekers of all faiths and none, united by the act of pilgrimage itself.

Beyond the Pilgrimage

St. James’s influence extends far beyond the pilgrimage bearing his name. As patron saint of Spain, his feast day (July 25) is celebrated with particular enthusiasm throughout the country, especially in Santiago de Compostela where spectacular fireworks illuminate the cathedral facade. He is also the patron saint of pilgrims, veterinarians, pharmacists, and numerous towns and regions worldwide.

Architecturally, the spread of the Santiago cult influenced the development of Romanesque and Gothic churches along pilgrimage routes, while artistically, his iconography created distinctive imagery that permeates Western religious art.

Perhaps most remarkably, St. James inspired the creation of what might be considered Europe’s first tourist infrastructure—a network of roads, bridges, hospitals, and hostels developed specifically to serve pilgrims. This system not only facilitated religious devotion but also fostered cultural exchange, economic development, and a sense of European identity that transcended political boundaries.

Today, as new pilgrims set out each day on the various routes of the Camino, they participate in a living tradition that connects them to millions who have walked before them over twelve centuries. In their footsteps, the legacy of that passionate fisherman from Galilee—who became an apostle, martyr, and spiritual icon—continues to evolve and inspire.

St James Table of Historical Events

Here are the significant life events of St. James in table form. If you want, you can jump back up to the graphical timeline

Who is St. James the Greater? [Video]