St. James the Greater
There are two very famous St. James known traditionally as St. James the Great and St. James the Less.
St. James the Great was one of the 12 Apostles. He was one of the first of the Apostles to be called by Jesus. The Gospels record that James and his brother John were preparing to fish with their father by the seashore when Jesus called them to follow him.
James, his brother John, and Peter formed an informal trio among the Twelve Apostles. Jesus allowed them to be the only apostles present at three particular occasions during his public ministry: the raising of Jairus’ daughter, the transfiguration of Jesus, and Jesus’ agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus called James and John together the “Sons of Thunder".”
The book of Acts records that Herod the King (probably Herod Agrippa) had James executed by the sword.
His Feast Day is celebrated on July 25th.
St. James the Lesser
St. James’ title of “Less” is used to distinguish him from St. James the brother of John (above). It probably means he was shorter or younger.
His mother Mary is believed to be either a sister or a close relative of the Jesus’ Mother, and he is referred to as the brother of the Lord. He held a distinguished position in the early Christian community in Jerusalem. St. Paul tells us James was a witness of the Resurrection of Christ; he is also a "pillar" of the Church, whom St. Paul consulted about the Gospel.
According to tradition, he was the first Bishopof Jerusalem, and was at the Council of Jerusalem about the year 50. The historians Eusebius and Hegesippus recorded that St. James was martyred for his faith by the Jews in the Spring of the year 62, although they greatly esteemed his person and had given him the surname of "James the Just."
His Feast Day is celebrated on May 3rd.