Feast of Saint James

Saint James' Day
Etching of Saint James
Observed by
TypeNational
DateJuly 25
FrequencyAnnual
Related toJames the Great

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 Catholic Church and the Church of England.[1] The Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar commemorates James on April 30.[2]

July 25 is also the National Day of Galicia of which James is its patron saint (Galician: Festas do Apóstolo).[3]

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. After his martyrdom at the hands of Herod Agrippa, his followers transported his body by sea to Galicia, where they landed at Iria Flavia, and then carried his remains to Santiago de Compostela for burial.[4] 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.[4]

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 and Galicia where July 25 is a public holiday.[3]

A traditional pilgrimage called the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago) 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.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Calendar". The Church of England. Archived from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  2. ^ those churches which follow the traditional Julian Calendar, April 30 currently falls on May 13 of the modern Gregorian Calendar)
  3. ^ a b "Celebrating the Feast of St. James in Santiago de Compostela". National Catholic Register. July 25, 2020. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "St. James the Greater|Feast day:July 25". Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "The Santiago Botafumeiro". rawtravel.com. February 22, 2023. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "Klopotec". miranjelen.si. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.