Saint Andrew the Apostle

Depiction

Andrew is holding a crux descussata, or an X-shaped cross. It was on this kind of cross that he was crucified in Greece.

Biography

Andrew was originally a follower of John the Baptist. He was one of the first followers of Jesus, and brought his brother Simon Peter to him. Andrew and Simon were fisherman of Bethsaida.

Andrew’s Biblical references are few. He brought to Jesus the boy from whose lunch He produced enough to feed the crowd of 5,000. He also acted as spokesman with Philip for the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. Andrew was among those who prayed in the upper room. He is not named in the Acts except in the list of the Apostles.

There are a few other details, such as Andrew’s presence during the Last Supper; beholding the Risen Lord; witnessing the Ascension; sharing in the graces and gifts of the first Pentecost; and helping to establish the Faith in Palestine. Various writings propose that Andrew preached in Scythia, Epirus, Achaia, Cappadocia and other places.

He is thought to have been crucified on crux descussata by order of the Roman Governor Aegeas at Patrae in Achaia, and that he was bound, not nailed, to the cross in order to prolong his sufferings.

Tradition

Andrew is the patron saint of Greece, Russia and Scotland. His feast day is celebrated on November 30. His relics were translated from Patrae to Constantinople about A.D. 357. When Constantinople was taken by the French, in the beginning of the thirteenth century, Cardinal Peter of Capua brought the relics to Italy and placed them in the cathedral of Amalfi, where most of them still remain.

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

Depiction

Bartholomew is holding a knife, as he was flayed alive.

Biography

Bartholomew was from Cana of Galilee. His proper name may have been Nathaniel. He was among those to whom Jesus appeared at the Lake of Galilee after His resurrection. There is little information concerning Bartholomew after the Pentecost.

Tradition
 
 

Bartholomew is said to have carried the gospel to India and died a martyr there. The manner of his death, is also uncertain. In some reports he was beheaded. According to others, he was flayed alive and crucified, head downward. He is sometimes depicted in art as flayed and holding his skin in his hand. Bartholomew’s relics are thought to be preserved in the church of Saint Bartholomew-in-the-Island, at Rome. His feast day is generally celebrated on August 24.

Saint James the Apostle

(also known as Saint James the Greater)

Depiction

James is holding a sword.

Biography

James (the Greater) was the brother of John and the son of Zebedee. He was one of the first to be called to be disciples. He witnessed the Transfiguration and, along with Peter and John, Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. James was among the disciples Jesus met by the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection. The fact that his name always appears before that of his brother’s suggests James was the older of the two. He was the first apostle to be martyred when Herod Agrippa I had him killed about A.D. 44. In Acts we have this description: Agrippa..."(killed) James, the brother of John, with the sword." (Acts 12:1-2)

Tradition

James may have preached in Spain before his death. His feast day is celebrated on July 25.

Saint James the Apostle

(also known as Saint James the Less)

Depiction

James is holding a fuller’s club. After being cast from the Temple roof, James was beaten to death with such a club.

Biography

James was the brother of Jude and a cousin of Jesus. While serving as Jerusalem’s first bishop, he was arrested by the Jews and killed by being hurled down from the Temple.

Tradition

His feast day is celebrated on May 3 with Saint Philip.

Saint John the Apostle

Depiction

John is shown holding a chalice, a possible reference to Jesus being asked whether John or his brother James might have seats of honor (one to the right of Jesus, the other to the left) in Heaven. Jesus replied "You don’t know what you are asking for! Can you drink of the cup of which I will drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am to be baptized?" They answered, "We can." Jesus then told them that they would drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or his left was not his to give–it is "for those to whom it has been reserved by the Father."

Biography

John is the brother of James and the son of Zebedee. He was a close companion of Jesus from the beginning of his ministry. He accompanied Jesus at the raising of Jairus’ daughter, at the Transfiguration, and during the agony in the garden of Gethsemane. He attended the trial of Jesus and was present at the crucifixion, and accepted the responsibility of caring for Mary. James was among the first to examine the tomb on Easter morning, only to find it empty. The Fourth Gospel, three Epistles and the Book of Revelation are attributed to him. He was the only one of the twelve apostles who died a natural death.

Tradition

The feast day of James is celebrated on December 27.

Saint Jude the Apostle

Depiction

Jude is holding a halberd, a long-handled and axe-like weapon used by his Persian executioners.

Biography

Jude was also known as Judas, or Lebbaeus, or Thaddaeus. He was not the Judas who betrayed Jesus. There is a lone reference to him in the Gospels, through a question addressed to Jesus by Jude. He was the brother of James the Less and a cousin of Jesus.

Tradition

Jude the Apostle is believed to be the author of an epistle in the New Testament. He is the patron saint of those suffering from desperate cases of illness, such as cancer. His feast day is celebrated as the feast of Saints Simon and Jude on October 28.

Saint Matthew the Apostle

Depiction

Matthew is holding a money purse and an axe. He may have been beheaded in Asia; the axe is the symbol of his death.

Biography

Matthew was a publican or professional tax collector. The Pharisees considered publicans to be traitors, and were shocked when Jesus selected him as one of his followers. Matthew hosted a party for Jesus that was attended by other tax collectors. The Pharisees were further taken aback. Jesus rebuked them, saying "I have come to help sinners, not the self-righteous who (think they) don’t need help." Matthew was among the Apostles present at the Ascension. Nothing further is found of Matthew in the New Testament.

Tradition

Matthew is generally regarded as the author of the First Gospel. He may have preached in Syria, Ethiopia and Persia. According to later stories, he died a martyr, although the manner of death is varied. He was either burned, stoned or beheaded. His feast day is celebrated on September 21.

Saint Matthias the Apostle

Depiction

Matthias is extending his hands as he holds a lance. He was martyred in southern Asia with such a weapon.

Biography

Matthias was chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot. He was one of Jesus’ original disciples and had been with him since the baptism of John and through to the Ascension. He is not mentioned again in the New Testament. All further information concerning the life and death of Matthias is vague and contradictory.
 
 

Tradition

Nothing is known about the later career of Matthias. His feast day is celebrated on February 24.

Saint Philip the Apostle

Depiction

Philip is carrying the cross of Christ, which was the theme of his preaching.

Biography

Philip was one of the original disciples of John the Baptist whom Jesus called at the beginning of his ministry. His name is Greek, meaning "lover of horses." Jesus met Philip and called him to the Apostolate with the words, "Follow me." Philip obeyed the call, and a little later brought Nathaniel as a new disciple. When the disciples questioned Jesus before his death, Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus replied "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father."

Tradition

Philip is believed to have preached in Phrygia and died there as a martyr. His feast day is celebrated as the feast of Saints Philip and James (the Less) on May 3.

Saint Simon the Apostle

Depiction

Simon is shown with a saw, as he was martyred by being sawed into pieces.

Biography

Simon is known as Simon the Canaanite, or Simon the Zealot. He was not from Canaan. Canaanite is the Hebrew work for the Greek Zelotes, or Zealot. It may have been that Simon belonged to a Jewish political party called the Zealots. This party advocated overthrow of the Roman government by violence and re-establishment of the independent Jewish state.

Tradition

Nothing else is known about Simon’s career after the beginning of the church. He is mentioned as having preached in all of the lands of the then known world. His body was said to have been sawed to pieces, hence his usual attribute is a saw. His feast day is celebrated as the feast of Saints Simon and Jude on October 28.

Saint Thomas the Apostle

Depiction

Thomas is holding a lance and a traveler’s bag.

Biography

Thomas is one of the better-known apostles. His name means twin, although there is no evidence that he was a twin. He was one of the most loyal of the apostles, but is called "Doubting Thomas" because he said that he would not believe in Jesus’ Resurrection until he could touch the wounds of Jesus. When Jesus allowed him to feel his hands and his side, Thomas stated "My Lord and my God."

Tradition

Thomas is believed to have gone to India and died a martyr there about A.D. 68. His bones were taken to Edessa and then to Ortona, Italy. His feast day, formerly December 21, is celebrated on July 3.