Saint John The Apostle

Saint John the Apostle, also known as the Apostle of Charity, the Beloved Apostle, the Beloved Disciple, Giovanni Evangelista, John the Beloved, John the Divine, John the Evangelist, and John the Theologian, was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. He was born as the son of Zebedee and Salome and was the brother of Saint James the Greater. Saint John was also referred to as one of the Sons of Thunder due to his fiery temperament. Saint John first encountered Jesus through Saint John the Baptist, and he became a devoted disciple. He immediately left everything and followed Jesus during the first year of His ministry. Saint John became extremely close to Jesus and was known as the beloved disciple. He participated in the Last Supper and was the only one of the twelve apostles who did not forsake Jesus during His Passion, remaining faithful at the foot of the cross. During His crucifixion, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to Saint John, who took her into his home as his own. Saint John was the first to reach the empty tomb upon hearing of Jesus' Resurrection. He also had a significant encounter with the risen Lord at the lake of Tiberias, during which he was the first to recognize Jesus. After Jesus' ascension, Saint John worked in Jerusalem and later in Ephesus during the era of the new Church. Throughout his ministry, he founded churches in Asia Minor and baptized converts in Samaria, demonstrating the open nature of the Christian faith that Jesus had taught. Saint John faced persecution for preaching after Pentecost and was imprisoned alongside Saint Peter. Saint John is renowned for his writings in the New Testament. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and is believed to have possibly authored the Book of Revelation. His Gospel focuses on the divinity of Jesus, while his Epistles provide guidance and encouragement to the early Christian communities. Various traditional stories surround the life of Saint John. According to these accounts, Emperor Domitian attempted to martyr him by having him brought to Rome, beaten, poisoned, and thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. However, Saint John miraculously emerged unharmed and was subsequently banished to the island of Patmos. Another tale recounts how Saint John's ship was wrecked in a storm while he was en route to preach in Asia. While his other companions were cast ashore, Saint John was presumed dead. Yet, two weeks later, he was miraculously cast ashore alive at the feet of his disciple Prochoros. Other popular stories tell of Saint John denouncing idol worship, miraculously transforming sea water into drinkable water while sailing, subduing a magician who deceived people with demonic illusions, and causing the conversion and baptism of people after raising them from the dead. Saint John passed away around the year 101 in Ephesus, which is in modern-day Turkey. A church was later built over his tomb, which was subsequently converted into a mosque. He is commemorated on December 27th in the Roman Catholic Church, May 8th in the Greek Orthodox Church, and May 6th before the Latin gate. Saint John the Apostle is traditionally represented with symbols such as a book (indicating his Gospel), cauldron, chalice, and serpent (alluding to the cup of sorrow foretold by Jesus). He is often depicted with an eagle, representing his role as the evangelist who emphasized Jesus' divine nature. Although there is no official confirmation of his patronages, Saint John the Apostle is invoked against burns, epilepsy, foot problems, hailstorms, poisoning, and for the well-being of burn victims. He is also considered the patron saint of arms manufacturers, art dealers, authors, basket makers, bookbinders, booksellers, publishers, butchers, candle makers, compositors, editors, engravers, friendships, glaziers, government officials, harvests, lithographers, notaries, painters, papermakers, printers, saddle makers, scholars, sculptors, stationers, tanners, theologians, typesetters, vintners, and writers. Additionally, he is the patron saint of various dioceses and cities around the world, including Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro in Italy, Boise in Idaho, Cleveland in Ohio, Saint-Jean-Longueuil in Québec, Sansepolcro in Italy, Eger in Hungary, and Milwaukee in Wisconsin. Numerous towns and regions, including Borgo Santo Sepolcro, Castel Focognano, Paterno, Sansepolcro, and Vivaro in Italy, among others, also venerate him. Saint John's influence extends to places like Morra in the Netherlands, Sundern in Germany, Taos in New Mexico, and Wroclaw in Poland.