Saint John the Apostle
Stored in Cargo: Saint John the Apostle
| Saint John the Apostle | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | December 27 |
| Profession | Fisherman |
| Rel. Affiliation | Apostle |
| Patronage | Love; loyalty; friendships; authors; publishers; theologians; booksellers; printers; burn victims; poison victims; art dealers; editors; scholars; examinations; Asia Minor |
| Attributes | Eagle; book or scroll; chalice with serpent; cauldron |
| Birthplace | Bethsaida, Galilee, Roman Empire (or nearby Capernaum area) |
| Death Place | Ephesus, Asia Minor (modern Selçuk, Turkey) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes in advanced old age |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of St. John, Ephesus (Selçuk), Turkey (traditional tomb site) |
| Liturgical Class | Feast |
| Historic Class | II class |
Saint John the Apostle, also known as Saint John the Evangelist and the Beloved Disciple, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. According to the New Testament, he was the son of Zebedee and Salome and the brother of Saint James the Greater. Evidence from the Gospels indicates that, together with his brother James and Saint Peter, he formed part of the inner circle of disciples who witnessed key events such as the Transfiguration of Jesus, the raising of Jairus’s daughter, and the Agony in the Garden.
The New Testament further records that John stood at the foot of the Cross, where Jesus entrusted the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary to him (John 19:26-27). At the Last Supper, the disciple “whom Jesus loved” reclined next to the Lord. Tradition, supported by early Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Polycrates of Ephesus, identifies John as the author of the Gospel of John, the three Letters of John, and the Book of Revelation. He is the only Apostle whose death was not by martyrdom but occurred peacefully in old age.
According to hagiographic tradition, John ministered in Ephesus, cared for the Virgin Mary, was exiled to the island of Patmos under Emperor Domitian (where he received the visions recorded in Revelation), and later returned to Ephesus, where he died around AD 100. These details reflect established Catholic tradition drawn from patristic testimony, though many specific biographical elements beyond the New Testament remain unverified by primary historical documents and cannot be confirmed with certainty. Consult the New Testament and writings of the Church Fathers (e.g., Irenaeus’ *Against Heresies*, Polycrates’ letter) for foundational sources.
Biography
Birth
According to the Gospels, Saint John the Apostle was born in the early 1st century AD in Galilee, likely in or near Bethsaida (or the Capernaum area). He was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman who owned his own boat and employed hired servants, and Salome, who is mentioned among the women supporting Jesus’ ministry. Evidence from the Synoptic Gospels suggests he was the younger brother of Saint James the Greater.
No exact birth date or further verifiable details about his family circumstances or early upbringing are provided in primary sources. Hagiographic tradition occasionally speculates on additional family connections, but these cannot be confirmed. John would have received a basic Jewish religious education consistent with the practices of Galilean families of his time.
Early Life
As a young man, Saint John the Apostle worked in the family fishing business on the Sea of Galilee. The Gospels describe how Jesus called John and his brother James while they were mending their nets; they left their father and the boat immediately to follow Him. Some accounts suggest John may have initially been a disciple of John the Baptist before encountering Jesus.
John rapidly became part of Jesus’ closest group of disciples. Together with Peter and James, he witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain and the raising of Jairus’s daughter. Jesus nicknamed the brothers “Boanerges” (“sons of thunder”), possibly reflecting their zealous character, as seen in the incident where they proposed calling down fire on a Samaritan village. These events are directly attested in the New Testament.
Occupation
Prior to his call as a disciple, Saint John the Apostle’s secular occupation was that of a fisherman. The family business appears to have been reasonably prosperous, given their ownership of a boat and hired help. This is the only verified profession mentioned in the Gospels.
After responding to Jesus’ call, John’s life centered on discipleship, and later on apostolic ministry and evangelization. No other secular occupations are recorded in reliable sources.
Vocation
Saint John the Apostle responded immediately to Jesus’ call to leave his nets and follow Him. He belonged to the inner circle of Apostles who received special revelations and teachings from the Lord. At the Last Supper, he reclined next to Jesus. During the Passion, he alone among the Apostles remained at the foot of the Cross and received the charge to care for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
After the Resurrection, John was among the first to reach the empty tomb and recognized the risen Christ at the Sea of Tiberias. In the early Church in Jerusalem, he collaborated with Peter in acts such as the healing of the lame man at the Temple. Early patristic testimony (Irenaeus, Polycrates) indicates that he later exercised a significant ministry in Asia Minor, particularly in Ephesus, appointing leaders and strengthening communities. He was exiled to Patmos, where tradition holds he received the visions of the Book of Revelation, before returning to Ephesus. These elements combine New Testament references with early Church tradition; further legendary details in hagiographic accounts (such as specific miracles during ministry) must be distinguished from verifiable facts.
Death
Saint John the Apostle met his end peacefully in advanced old age at Ephesus, Asia Minor (modern Selçuk, Turkey), around AD 100. According to testimony from early Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Polycrates of Ephesus, he died a natural death—the only Apostle not to suffer martyrdom. A church was later built over the traditional site of his tomb, which became a center of veneration.
Some later hagiographic traditions claim that the earth over his grave moved as if he were still breathing, or that he was assumed into heaven without dying, but these cannot be confirmed and originate from pious legend. A grand basilica was constructed over the site in the 6th century under Emperor Justinian. Historical verification of the exact circumstances of his death relies on patristic sources rather than contemporary records.
Significant events
- Called by Jesus from his fishing boat, together with his brother James, to become one of the Twelve Apostles.
- Witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus, the raising of Jairus’s daughter, and the Agony in the Garden as part of the inner circle with Peter and James.
- Reclined on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper and was entrusted with the care of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Crucifixion (John 19:26-27).
- Ran with Peter to the empty tomb after the Resurrection and was the first to believe upon seeing the burial cloths.
- Collaborated with Peter in the healing of the lame man at the Temple and in the confirmation of Samaritan converts.
- Exiled to the island of Patmos under Emperor Domitian, where tradition holds he received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation.
- Traditionally credited with authoring the Gospel of John, the three Letters of John, and Revelation, with a strong emphasis on divine love and the Incarnation of the Word.
- Ministered in Ephesus and the churches of Asia Minor, strengthening the faithful and opposing early heresies according to patristic accounts.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
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Parishes
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| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| December 27 Saint John the Apostle | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| St. John the Apostle | Under 5 minutes | Catholic Online |
| St. John The Apostle | Under 5 minutes | Catholic Online |
| Saint John the Apostle : The Beloved Disciple of Love and Faith | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
| Apostle John Survived Being Boiled in Oil - This Miracle Shocked Rome ✝️ | Under 5 minutes | The One Minute Catholic |
Shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
Basilica of St. John, Selçuk (near Ephesus), Turkey
- A major 6th-century basilica constructed by Emperor Justinian I over the traditional tomb site of Saint John the Apostle. An earlier chapel existed on the site from at least the 4th century. The basilica served as a prominent center of pilgrimage and devotion focused on the Apostle, qualifying under Canon 1230 as a designated sacred place for gathering in prayer and veneration of his memory.
- Located on Ayasuluk Hill in Selçuk, in the historical region of the Diocese of Ephesus; expanded into a grand cruciform structure with domes. Pilgrims visited the marked tomb, with reports of miraculous dust (“manna”) associated with the site in medieval accounts. Annual commemorations occurred on his feast.
- Fact: Early tradition, attested by Irenaeus and Polycrates, places John’s final years and burial in Ephesus. The site became renowned for reports of healing dust from the tomb, mentioned by Gregory of Tours.
Monastery of Saint John the Theologian and Cave of the Apocalypse, Patmos, Greece
- The monastery, founded in 1088 by Blessed Christodoulos, and its associated Cave of the Apocalypse form an officially recognized pilgrimage center dedicated to Saint John the Apostle (called “the Theologian” in the East). The cave is traditionally the site where he received the visions of Revelation, serving as a focal point for devotion and qualifying under Canon 1230 through its designation for pilgrimage and sacraments.
- Situated on the island of Patmos, under the Ecumenical Patriarchate; the complex includes ancient manuscripts and relics linked to the Apostle’s memory. It has been a continuous site of Orthodox pilgrimage and learning, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Fact: Revelation 1:9 states that John was on Patmos “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Tradition holds he dictated the visions to his disciple Prochorus while exiled here under Domitian.
(Note: Comprehensive verification against current diocesan or Vatican records for additional shrines strictly meeting Canon 1230 is recommended. Early veneration is concentrated in the Eastern Mediterranean; global sites often function as devotional churches rather than canonically designated shrines.)
Canonization
Saint John the Apostle was recognized as a saint from the earliest days of the Church through the veneration accorded to the Apostles as direct witnesses to Christ. No modern formal process applies, as his cause predates the development of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
Servant of God
As one of the Twelve Apostles, Saint John was venerated as holy from the apostolic age onward. No formal “Servant of God” investigation in the contemporary sense was conducted.
Venerable
The declaration of heroic virtue in the modern procedural sense does not apply. His life of virtue was affirmed through Sacred Scripture and continuous Church Tradition from the 1st century.
Beatification
Saint John the Apostle was never formally beatified in the post-apostolic sense. His veneration as a saint was universal from the beginning.
Canonization
Canonized pre-congregation through the universal recognition of the Church from apostolic times. The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, and other traditions have always included him among the saints.
Miracles
No miracles were required for the recognition of Saint John the Apostle, given his status as an eyewitness to the Lord. Accounts of miracles associated with him derive primarily from hagiographic traditions.
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable.
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable.
Other notable miracles
Hagiographic traditions report:
- Surviving being plunged into a cauldron of boiling oil outside the Latin Gate in Rome (mentioned by Tertullian), after which he was exiled to Patmos.
- Drinking a cup of poison without harm, with the poison emerging in the form of a serpent (from the apocryphal Acts of John and later legends).
- Miraculous dust rising from his tomb in Ephesus, said to have healing properties (noted by Gregory of Tours and Eastern traditions).
These reflect pious tradition rather than verified historical events. The New Testament does not record personal miracles performed by John apart from those shared with the other Apostles.
Patronage
Saint John the Apostle is the patron saint of love, loyalty, and friendships. He is also invoked as patron of authors, publishers, theologians, booksellers, printers, scholars, art dealers, editors, examinations, burn victims, and poison victims (linked to associated legends). In some traditions, he is associated with Asia Minor.
Feast day
The feast day of Saint John the Apostle is celebrated on December 27 (as a Feast in the current General Roman Calendar). In the 1962 Roman Missal, it was ranked as II class. Eastern traditions also commemorate him on May 8 and September 26.
Veneration
Saint John the Apostle is venerated through the liturgical celebration of his feast, the proclamation of his writings in the liturgy (especially the Gospel of John), and prayers seeking his intercession for deeper love of Christ and purity of heart. Pilgrimages to traditional sites associated with his life, particularly Ephesus and Patmos, have formed part of Christian devotion for centuries.
He has been depicted in numerous artworks, often with an eagle (symbolizing the lofty theology of his Gospel) or a chalice with a serpent. Relics and shrines linked to his memory, especially the traditional tomb in Ephesus, have influenced Catholic and Orthodox piety. His teaching that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) continues to shape Catholic spirituality.
Authored prayers
There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.
Intercessory prayers
There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.
Books
Written about the saint
- Commentaries on the Gospel of John and studies of the Apostles in reputable Catholic scholarship (e.g., works from Ignatius Press or similar publishers; consult current Catholic bibliographies).
Written by the saint
- The Gospel of John
- 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John
- The Book of Revelation
External links
- Catholic Encyclopedia: St. John the Evangelist
- Catholic Online: St. John the Apostle
- Britannica: Saint John the Apostle (for historical overview)
- My Catholic Life: Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist