Location:Probably Vaucelles - Date:Shortly before 1250 (incorporated in the first 'Passionaire français') (BHL 4057-4959-4960-4961-4962-4072) (Perrot, 1992: 20, 180-189) - Commission: /

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The alleged remains of James were discovered in the year 813 at the site that later became known as 'Santiago de Compostela' and developed into a famous pilgrimage site. The skeleton had been transferred from the current Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai to Spain for burial. In 899 a basilica was built on the spot were Saint Jame’s remains were said to have been found, which was reconstructed around 1075 into the still existing cathedral.

Life and miracles of S. Iacobus Maior, or James the Greater, son of S. Zebedee and S. Mary Salome and the older brother of the Apostle St. John. Like his father he worked as a fisherman on the lake of Gennesaret. One day, while fishing, he was called by Jesus to be his follower, what made him one of the first disciples, after S. Peter and S. Andrew. Moreover, James enjoyed along with S. Peter and S. John a privileged position within the group of the 12 apostles as these three witnessed some extraordinary events of Christ's life, including Jesus' suffering and agony in the Garden of Olives. After Christ's ascension James went to preach in Judea and Samaria. Later, during the time of the Christian persecution, he fled to Spain and preached in the region of Iria Flavia (now Santiago de Compostela). There he founded and converted the locals with his wonderful stories. According to legend, James experienced a miracle about 40 AD when Mary appeared to him on a pillar in Zaragoza. Back in the Holy Land, about the year 42, James died a martyr’s death through decapitation on the orders of Herod Agrippa I.

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Bibliotheca Hagiographica Latina 4057-4959-4960-4961-4962-4072
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