Dear friends in Christ,
Among the Twelve Apostles, some names echo with dramatic stories — Peter walking on the water, Thomas doubting and then believing, John resting on the heart of Jesus. Yet there are others whose paths were quieter, hidden beneath the light of more visible companions, but whose lives still shine with the steady flame of faith. Saint James the Less, often called James son of Alphaeus or Apostle James the Less, belongs to this blessed company of humble servants.
Though Scripture tells us little about him, the few glimpses we have are enough to reveal a soul of profound humility and perseverance. He is sometimes called “the Less” — not because his faith was lesser, but likely because he was younger or smaller in stature than the other James, the son of Zebedee. Yet in God’s Kingdom, the measure of a person is not in size or fame but in the depth of faith and the constancy of love.
In Saint James the Less, we meet a man who lived quietly in the shadow of others but carried the weight of the early Church upon his shoulders. He is believed to have been the first bishop of Jerusalem — a shepherd who guided the first Christian community through persecution, famine, and uncertainty. His life speaks powerfully to anyone who feels unseen or forgotten, reminding us that the hidden lives of faith are often the ones that most sustain the Body of Christ.
Let us journey through his life, as Scripture and tradition allow, to discover the meaning of humble discipleship in Saint James the Less — the apostle who led not by prominence but by holiness.
The Hidden Apostle
The Mystery of His Identity
Saint James the Less is mentioned in several lists of the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13). He is called “James son of Alphaeus” to distinguish him from James son of Zebedee, the brother of John. Some traditions identify him as the same person as James the Just, the brother (or relative) of the Lord, who later became the first bishop of Jerusalem.
While scholars have debated whether these titles refer to one or two distinct figures, the Church’s ancient memory often unites them: Saint James the Less — the apostle, the “brother of the Lord,” and the bishop who led the early Church with wisdom and prayer.
What matters more than the question of identity is the testimony of his character. His life was not marked by great public deeds recorded in the Gospels, but by silent fidelity. In the same way that a foundation stone supports the house without being seen, Saint James supported the newborn Church with humility and faith.
The Meaning of “the Less”
The Gospel of Mark calls him “James the Less” (Mark 15:40), and this simple title has often been misunderstood. “The Less” (Greek: mikros) likely means “younger” or “smaller.” It might distinguish him from James the Greater, the son of Zebedee. Yet in the divine irony that runs through Scripture, this title becomes a crown. For Christ Himself said, “Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26).
In this light, the humility of James becomes his true greatness. His smallness in the eyes of men allowed the greatness of God to shine through him. The Church has always seen in him an icon of humble service — a man who sought no glory except that of Christ crucified.
The Apostle of Jerusalem
Called to Lead in the Birthplace of Faith
According to ancient tradition, after Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, the apostles spread throughout the world — Peter to Rome, Thomas to India, Andrew to the East. Yet James remained in Jerusalem, the city that had rejected and crucified the Lord, to shepherd the first community of believers there.
In the Acts of the Apostles, we see James playing a central but quiet role. When Peter is miraculously freed from prison, he instructs the others, “Tell this to James and to the brethren” (Acts 12:17). Later, during the Council of Jerusalem — the first great gathering of the Church to discern God’s will — it is James who offers the final word that brings peace and unity:
“Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.”
— Acts 15:19
In this brief statement, James shows both pastoral wisdom and deep understanding of the Gospel. He recognizes that salvation is not bound by the law of Moses but fulfilled in the grace of Christ. His leadership, though quiet, helped define the universal mission of the Church — that the Good News is for all people, Jew and Gentile alike.
The First Bishop of Jerusalem
The early Fathers of the Church, including Eusebius and Hegesippus, testify that Saint James the Less was the first bishop of Jerusalem. He led a community under constant pressure — from Jewish authorities, from Roman oversight, and from the daily challenge of uniting believers from many backgrounds.
Saint James was known for his holiness and prayer. It is said that he spent so much time on his knees interceding for his people that his knees became as hard as those of a camel. The early Church called him “James the Just” because of his righteousness and purity of life. He embodied what Saint Paul would later describe as “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).
In an age of division, James became a bridge. He honored the Jewish roots of the faith while embracing the new life of grace in Christ. He stood as a living link between the Old Covenant and the New, between the synagogue and the Church.
The Faith That Endures
The Witness of Martyrdom
According to early tradition, Saint James the Less was martyred in Jerusalem around the year 62 AD. Josephus, the Jewish historian, records that he was condemned by the Sanhedrin and stoned to death for proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah. Some accounts add that he was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple before being beaten to death with a fuller’s club — the instrument often depicted in Christian art as his symbol.
His martyrdom mirrors his life: steadfast, humble, and unyielding in faith. He did not flee the city of his birth; he remained to the end, faithful to his flock and to his Lord. His blood sanctified the very soil of Jerusalem where Christ had shed His own blood.
The death of Saint James reminds us that true discipleship is not measured by earthly glory but by fidelity. The “lesser” disciple became a great saint, not by seeking power but by bearing witness in love and perseverance.
The Epistle of James
Though some debate remains over whether the Epistle of James in the New Testament was written by Saint James the Less or by another James, its content reflects the spirit of the man we have come to know: practical holiness, moral integrity, and living faith.
“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.”
— James 1:22
“Faith without works is dead.”
— James 2:26
These are not the words of a distant theologian but of a pastor who knows the struggles of his people. His epistle calls Christians to live their faith concretely — to care for the poor, to control the tongue, to resist pride, and to pray in all things.
It is the Gospel translated into daily life — the same Gospel that James himself embodied in Jerusalem.
The Humility of Hidden Holiness
The Power of the Unseen
Saint James the Less teaches us the holiness of the hidden life. In a world obsessed with recognition and fame, his story reminds us that greatness in God’s eyes often lies in quiet fidelity.
There are many believers today who live like James — faithful in their homes, workplaces, and parishes, without attention or acclaim. Parents who raise children in faith, caregivers who serve the sick, workers who labor honestly, intercessors who pray in silence — all of them are the “lesser” saints through whom the Church stands firm.
In James, we see that God treasures not the noisy achievements of pride but the quiet endurance of love. Jesus said, “Your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). The life of James fulfills that promise.
The Bridge Between Heaven and Earth
Saint James also stands as a bridge — between the old and the new, between faith and works, between contemplation and action. His spirituality unites prayer with justice, devotion with mercy. He does not separate belief from behavior; for him, to believe in Christ is to live as Christ lived.
His leadership in Jerusalem was not about control but about communion. He sought harmony, understanding, and unity in the Body of Christ. That same spirit of gentle authority is needed in the Church today — leaders who are humble, pastoral, and rooted in prayer, like Saint James the Less.
Lessons from the Life of Saint James the Less
1. Humility Is Strength
The world measures greatness by visibility and influence, but in the Kingdom of God, humility is the truest strength. James reminds us that one can be an apostle without fame, a leader without pride, and a saint without applause.
2. Faith Must Be Lived
His words — “Faith without works is dead” — call every believer to live their faith concretely. Christianity is not merely a confession of the lips but a transformation of life.
3. Prayer Sustains the Church
James, the man of prayer, interceded for his people day and night. His example challenges us to return to prayer as the heart of Christian life. The Church’s strength does not come from strategy or politics but from prayerful hearts kneeling before God.
4. Unity Requires Listening and Love
At the Council of Jerusalem, James showed that listening to others and seeking unity through love reflects the mind of Christ. His leadership was gentle but firm, rooted in the Spirit rather than in power.
A Saint for Quiet Disciples
Saint James the Less remains a companion for all who walk the humble path of faith — for those who serve quietly, pray faithfully, and persevere when no one sees. His story reassures us that God’s grace often works in hidden ways, turning “the less” into greatness through love.
When you feel small, unnoticed, or weary, remember the apostle who bore the same title. God delights to make His power known in weakness. As Saint Paul wrote, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Saint James the Less lived that truth — and now, crowned with glory, he intercedes for us still.
Reflect and Pray
O Lord Jesus Christ,
You chose Saint James the Less, humble servant and faithful bishop,
to lead Your Church in Jerusalem and to bear witness to Your truth until death.
Grant us the same quiet strength and unshakable faith
to serve You in the small and hidden moments of our lives.
May we, like him, be faithful in prayer, steadfast in love,
and willing to be “less” in the eyes of the world
so that You may be more in us.
Through the prayers of Saint James the Less,
may we walk humbly with You all the days of our lives.
Amen.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
