the 12 apostles

Source: Los Angeles County Museum of Art

​Wednesday | 12 | OT | C

Vancouver, July 10, 2019

Simon>Peter: The first to head the list is Simon whose name is changed to Kephas in Aramaic, in Latin Petrus or Peter, means “rock.” The one to whom Jesus Christ entrusted His Church. He was with Jesus at the Transfiguration and Jesus called upon Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter would deny knowing Jesus, then, he would offer his life for Christ in Rome where he is martyred. St. is celebrated June 29th.

Andrew: Peter’s older brother. Born in the village of Bethsaida by the Sea of Galilee, like Peter, he was a fisherman. Jesus called Peter and Andrew at the same time to become fishers of men. Tradition has it Andrew went out to preach in the area of the Black Sea off the shores of Greece. Andrew was crucified in the shape of an X where we get St. Andrew’s Cross. Basilica of San Andrea della Valle in Rome depicts Andrew’s execution. We celebrate St. Andrew November 30th.

​James son of Zebedee: Also known as James the Greater, he is the brother of John; the two, James and John, were with Jesus at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus called, “Peter, James, John.” We know from the Acts of the Apostles James was executed by Herod. St. James is especially celebrated in Spain, in Spanish Santiago or San Diego. He is celebrated July 25th.

​John: John is listed as the youngest of the Apostles. Brother of James, the first four Apostles listed include two sets of brothers. John is also referred to as the “beloved disciple,” and the one who outlived all the other disciples, having died at Patmos. John wrote the Gospel of his name, Letters and Book of Revelation. He was with Peter and his brother James at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. His feast is December 27th.

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John: John is listed as the youngest of the Apostles. Brother of James, the first four Apostles listed include two sets of brothers. John is also referred to as the “beloved disciple,” and the one who outlived all the other disciples, having died at Patmos. John wrote the Gospel of his name, Letters and Book of Revelation. He was with Peter and his brother James at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. His feast is December 27th.

Philip: From the city of Bethsaida, his feast day is May 3rd. It was Philip who brought Bartholomew to Jesus; Philip asked Jesus, “Reveal the Father.”

Bartholomew: Also known as Nathaniel. Bartholomew is associated with missionary work in India and he is celebrated August 24th.

Thomas: His feast celebrated July 3, he is known as “doubting Thomas”; he wanted to see Jesus and touch His wounds in order to believe. St. Thomas is known to have gone to India to preach as far as Tamil Nadu.

Matthew: We are specifically told Matthew is a tax collector and he is associated with sinners by the Pharisees. He is one of the Four Evangelists. Matthew was one of the witnesses of the Resurrection and the Ascension of Jesus. He is celebrated November 16.

James son of Alphaeus: Sometimes called James the Minor to distinguish him from James the Greater, James son of Alphaeus is identified with missionary activity in Egypt. His feast is May 3.

Thaddaeus: He is also known as Jude the Apostle, hence, we have St. Jude. Associated with the conversion of the Armenians, tradition holds he suffered martyrdom in Beirut with his relics later brought to Rome. Often seen with a flame over his head representing Pentecost, Thaddeus or St. Jude, is also known as the Saint for “desperate cases,” His feast is October 28th.

Simon the Cannanaen: Also known as Simon the Zealot, he is connected with Thaddeus in their missionary activity. “Zealot” refers to his “zeal” for the religious Law. Simon is also observed October 28, the two sharing the same feast day we speak of Saints Simon and Jude. Simon was martyred in Beirut and is depicted with a saw showing how he was martyred.

Judas Iscariot: We are told specifically that Judas was the one to betray Jesus. Judas betrays Jesus to the Sanhedrin in the Garden of Gethsemane. So Jesus could be identified Judas demonstrates betrayal in his act of kissing Jesus and then addressing him as Rabbi. Judas later hung himself.
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The list opens with the primacy and authority attached to Peter -- and ends with greed and despair of Judas. Jesus chose his disciples from different walks of life and with different strengths and weaknesses. They were all drawn to Jesus by his teaching but they did not really know or understand Him at first, or how the life of Jesus was going to end. What they did know and believe was Jesus would lead them to new life, salvation and Everlasting life. But only after the Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord, did they fully understand.