Saint John the Evangelist
Saint John the Evangelist, also known as Saint John the Apostle, was one of the original Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ and is traditionally identified as the "Beloved Disciple" mentioned in the Fourth Gospel. The son of Zebedee and the brother of James the Greater, John was a fisherman by trade before being called to discipleship. Along with Peter and James, he belonged to the inner circle of Jesus’ closest companions and witnessed key moments in Christ’s earthly ministry, including the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden.
John and his brother James were given the name Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17), a reference to their zeal and impassioned character. Patristic writers and Church tradition hold that John is the author of the Gospel according to John, three Epistles (1, 2, and 3 John), and the Book of Revelation—though some modern scholars debate authorship, especially of Revelation. His Gospel is particularly cherished for its high Christology, its emphasis on love and truth, and its unique theological depth, often described as having a “soaring” perspective on the nature of Christ as the Eternal Word (Logos) made flesh.
One of the most touching and unique aspects of John's life is his role at the foot of the Cross. According to John 19:26–27, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to John, saying, “Behold your mother.” From that moment, tradition holds that John took Mary into his home and cared for her as his own, most likely in the city of Ephesus, where both are believed to have lived for a time.
Unlike the other Apostles, who suffered martyrdom, Saint John is widely believed to have died of natural causes, although not without suffering. According to early Christian writers like Tertullian and Saint Jerome, John was exiled under the Roman Emperor Domitian to the island of Patmos, where he received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. After Domitian's death, he returned to Ephesus and continued to minister to the early Christian community into old age, likely dying near the end of the first century—possibly around AD 100—making him the last surviving Apostle.
His Feast Day is December 27, celebrated within the Octave of Christmas, reflecting his deep theological focus on the mystery of the Incarnation: that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). This proximity to the mystery of the Nativity reflects John's profound insight into the divinity and humanity of Christ.
In Christian iconography, Saint John is often represented with an eagle, the highest-flying of creatures, symbolizing the transcendent nature of his Gospel, which begins not with earthly lineage but with the divine pre-existence of Christ: “In the beginning was the Word...” (John 1:1). The eagle also evokes the soul’s ascent to contemplation of divine truths, making Saint John a model for mystics, theologians, and all who seek deeper union with God.
Through his writings, witness, and unique relationship with both Christ and the Blessed Mother, Saint John the Evangelist stands as a towering figure in both Scripture and tradition—an Apostle of love, truth, and divine vision.
John and his brother James were given the name Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17), a reference to their zeal and impassioned character. Patristic writers and Church tradition hold that John is the author of the Gospel according to John, three Epistles (1, 2, and 3 John), and the Book of Revelation—though some modern scholars debate authorship, especially of Revelation. His Gospel is particularly cherished for its high Christology, its emphasis on love and truth, and its unique theological depth, often described as having a “soaring” perspective on the nature of Christ as the Eternal Word (Logos) made flesh.
One of the most touching and unique aspects of John's life is his role at the foot of the Cross. According to John 19:26–27, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to John, saying, “Behold your mother.” From that moment, tradition holds that John took Mary into his home and cared for her as his own, most likely in the city of Ephesus, where both are believed to have lived for a time.
Unlike the other Apostles, who suffered martyrdom, Saint John is widely believed to have died of natural causes, although not without suffering. According to early Christian writers like Tertullian and Saint Jerome, John was exiled under the Roman Emperor Domitian to the island of Patmos, where he received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation. After Domitian's death, he returned to Ephesus and continued to minister to the early Christian community into old age, likely dying near the end of the first century—possibly around AD 100—making him the last surviving Apostle.
His Feast Day is December 27, celebrated within the Octave of Christmas, reflecting his deep theological focus on the mystery of the Incarnation: that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). This proximity to the mystery of the Nativity reflects John's profound insight into the divinity and humanity of Christ.
In Christian iconography, Saint John is often represented with an eagle, the highest-flying of creatures, symbolizing the transcendent nature of his Gospel, which begins not with earthly lineage but with the divine pre-existence of Christ: “In the beginning was the Word...” (John 1:1). The eagle also evokes the soul’s ascent to contemplation of divine truths, making Saint John a model for mystics, theologians, and all who seek deeper union with God.
Through his writings, witness, and unique relationship with both Christ and the Blessed Mother, Saint John the Evangelist stands as a towering figure in both Scripture and tradition—an Apostle of love, truth, and divine vision.
