The Feast of Saint James, also known as Saint James' Day, is a commemoration of the apostle
James the Great celebrated on
July 25 of the
liturgical calendars of the
Roman Catholic church and of the
Anglican
Anglicanism is a Western Christian tradition that has developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the context of the Protestant Reformation in Europe. It is one of th ...
,
Lutheran and some other
Protestant churches. The
Orthodox Christian liturgical calendar
The Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar describes and dictates the rhythm of the life of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Passages of Holy Scripture, saints and events for commemoration are associated with each date, as are many times special rule ...
commemorates James on April 30.
July 25 is also the
National Day of Galicia
National may refer to:
Common uses
* Nation or country
** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen
Places in the United States
* National, Maryland, ce ...
of which James is its patron saint ( gl, Festas do Apóstolo).
Legends and observances
According to the legends surrounding his life, it is said that James preached the gospel in
Hispania as well as in the
Holy Land
The Holy Land; Arabic: or is an area roughly located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River, traditionally synonymous both with the biblical Land of Israel and with the region of Palestine. The term "Holy ...
. After his
martyrdom at the hands of
Herod Agrippa, his followers transported his body by sea to
Galicia
Galicia may refer to:
Geographic regions
* Galicia (Spain), a region and autonomous community of northwestern Spain
** Gallaecia, a Roman province
** The post-Roman Kingdom of the Suebi, also called the Kingdom of Gallaecia
** The medieval King ...
, where they landed at
Iria Flavia, and then carried his remains to
Santiago de Compostela for burial.
The location of the grave was lost to memory, and was believed to be rediscovered by bishop
Theodemir of Iria on July 25, 812, during the reign of
Alfonso II.
Due to his purported role in leading a Christian victory in the mythical
Battle of Clavijo as
James Matamoros (James the Moor-slayer), James is held as patron saint of the Spaniards. Because of his role in northern Spain, James is venerated throughout the
Basque Country
Basque Country may refer to:
* Basque Country (autonomous community), as used in Spain ( es, País Vasco, link=no), also called , an Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Spain (shown in pink on the map)
* French Basque Country o ...
and
Galicia
Galicia may refer to:
Geographic regions
* Galicia (Spain), a region and autonomous community of northwestern Spain
** Gallaecia, a Roman province
** The post-Roman Kingdom of the Suebi, also called the Kingdom of Gallaecia
** The medieval King ...
where July 25 is a public holiday.
A traditional
pilgrimage called the
Way of St James is held that day, bringing people to the town of Santiago de Compostela and the
Santiago de Compostela Cathedral. It is the town's largest annual festival, with processions and fireworks. The cathedral holds a special mass, and its
Botafumeiro may be swung. During a
Jacobean Holy Year, pilgrims may enter the cathedral through the
Holy Door (Porta Santa) to gain a
plenary indulgence.
Gallery
File:Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Puerta Santa.jpg, Pope Alexander III
Pope Alexander III (c. 1100/1105 – 30 August 1181), born Roland ( it, Rolando), was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 7 September 1159 until his death in 1181.
A native of Siena, Alexander became pope after a con ...
granted the privilege of a holy door to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela through his papal bull ''Regis Æterni'' on July 25, 1178.
File:Špičnik (27205258929).jpg, Klopotec
A klopotec (pronounced ) is a wooden mechanical device on a high wooden pole, similar to a windmill. It is used as a bird scarer in the vineyards of traditional wine-growing landscapes of Slovenia, Austria, and Croatia. It is one of the symbols of ...
s in Slovenia are traditionally set up on July 25.
See also
*
Liturgy of Saint James
*
St. James' Day Battle
References
{{reflist
External links
Feast of Saint James
James
July observances