Righteous James the Brother of the Lord

Commemorated on December 27.

The Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, was the eldest son of Joseph the Betrothed from his first marriage with Solomonia. The Apostle James is remembered after the Feast of the Nativity of Christ together with his father Joseph and the Prophet-King David, since he accompanied his family on the Flight into Egypt and lived there with the Infant Jesus, the Mother of God and Joseph. Later, he returned to Israel with them.

After the Ascension of the Lord, Saint James was the first Bishop of Jerusalem, gaining the great esteem not only of Christians, but also of Jews. He was thrown from the roof of the Jerusalem Temple because he had publicly preached to the people about the God-Manhood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Apostle James is also commemorated on October 23.

Troparion

O Joseph, proclaim the wonders to David, the ancestor of God:
you have seen a Virgin great with child; you gave glory with the shepherds;
you worshipped with the Magi;
you received an answer from the Angel.
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Beseech Christ God to save our souls.
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Matthew 1: 20-21.

Kontakion

(Podoben: “Today the Virgin..”)
Today the godly David is filled with gladness
and Joseph offers praise with James.
Having received the crown of their kinship with Christ, they rejoice,
praising in song Him Who is inexpressibly born on earth,
crying out: “O Compassionate One, save those who honor You!”