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Orthodox Church commemorations of Saint James

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2026-10-24 12:36 UTC → 2026-10-24 22:12 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Orthodox Church observes the feast days of figures named Saint James. On October 22, the Serbian Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Saint James the Apostle, the brother of Saint John the Evangelist. Traditions associated with this day include specific local customs for unmarried women and calls to forgive those who have slandered others. On October 23, the Church commemorates Saint James the Brother of the Lord, the first Bishop of Jerusalem. Also known as ‘James the Just’, he is noted for his role in the Apostolic Council regarding non-Jewish converts and is credited with the authorship of the Epistle of James, which emphasizes living out faith through actions. Tradition suggests he was the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the apostolic church following the Resurrection. He is also traditionally associated with the authorship of the first Divine Liturgy. Historical accounts, including those by Josephus, suggest he died a martyr in approximately 62 AD, either by stoning or being thrown from the Temple. The liturgical calendar for October 23 also includes the commemoration of Saint Ignatius, Patriarch of Constantinople, and Saint Macarius the Roman. On October 24, the commemoration focuses on Saint Sebastian, an early Christian martyr from Sebaste, Phrygia. Taught by the Apostle Paul, she was known for her steadfast faith despite persecution under Emperor Domitian and later under the ruler Pompeianus, eventually facing martyrdom by decapitation. This day also marks the feast of Saint Arethas the Great Martyr, a 6th-century leader of the Christian community in Najran. Recent accounts note that Arethas and hundreds of his followers were martyred during a persecution led by the Himyarite King Dhu Nuwas. In Greece, religious services, including the procession of the Epitaphios of Saint Demetrios, are held in preparation for his major feast day.

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