The Diocese of Grand Rapids celebrated the feast day of St. James the Apostle on July 25, remarking on how close James was to Jesus.

“Happy feast day to the parish community of St. James in Montague!” the diocese posted on Facebook. “One of the 12 apostles, James was particularly close to Jesus - present at the Transfiguration, a witness to the raising of Jairus' daughter and present at the agony in the garden on Holy Thursday. St. James, pray for us!” 

St. James is also referred to as James the Greater or James, son of Zebedee. He was one of Jesus' 12 apostles, and Britannica says he and his brother John were among the first four apostles whom Jesus called to follow him, along with Peter and Andrew. 

James was fishing with his brother John in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus approached them, according to Catholic.org. The brothers had been unable to catch any fish, but Jesus told them to put their nets in the water once more, and when they did, the nets were full of fish. After Jesus' Ascension into Heaven, James traveled across the Roman kingdom and Israel, spreading the Gospel. When he returned to Jerusalem, King Herod beheaded him, making James the first Apostle to be martyred for his faith. 

James was a witness to some of the key events in Jesus' life, including the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden, Britannica says.

The feast of St. James is celebrated on July 25. Franciscan Media says James is the patron saint of Chile, laborers, Nicaragua, people who suffer from rheumatism, and Spain.