Saint James the Greater

James is the son of Zebedee and is often referred to as “the Greater” as a way of distinguishing him from the other apostle of the same name, “the Less,” which probably had to do with stature. James was John the disciple’s older brother. Together, the two of them were called the “Sons of  Thunder”. It is unlikely that he received any of the rabbinic schooling of his time, but he did receive an ordinary education. He was often singled out among the apostles and, for this, was believed to have been a respected, close friend of Jesus. James the Greater preached in Spain and helped Christianity to spread. When he returned to Judea, he was ordered to death by Herod. His body later went to Compostela, which was a famous place of pilgrimage through the Middle Ages.