The Archdiocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee celebrated the Feast Day of St. John the Apostle on Dec. 27.

The day is one in which the church remembers the work of the apostle of Christ, who was a fisherman when he was called to follow Christ. 

John and his brother James, are referred to as the "sons of thunder," in part because they were incredibly zealous disciples, according to Britannica. 

“Today is the Feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. John and his brother, James, Galilean fishermen called the ‘sons of thunder,’ were chosen to be among the 12 apostles. John was with Jesus at the Transfiguration, in the Garden of Gethsemane and on Calvary.  It was to this ‘beloved disciple’ that Jesus entrusted his mother’s care. John evangelized in Ephesus (Turkey), was exiled to the island of Patmos and, according to tradition, lived to be 100 years. John and his community of followers are credited with writing the fourth Gospel, three epistles and the Book of Revelation. St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, please pray for us!” the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee shared on Facebook. 

According to scripture, St. John the Apostle was fixing his nets when Jesus called his to follow him and be a disciple. 

“After Jesus’s death, Emperor Domitian sentenced John to be submerged into a vat of boiling oil. However, John was not injured, and everyone who witnessed this miracle converted to Christianity. He was then banished to the Greek Island of Patmos, where it is believed that he wrote the Book of Revelation. John is also credited with writing three epistles and the Gospel of John. He is the patron saint of love, loyalty, friendship and authors,” according to the Holy Rood.

There are a number of popular prayers which are offered up to St. John the Apostle by Catholics, including the following, according to Aleteia: “O God, who through the blessed Apostle John have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word, grant, we pray, that we may grasp with proper understanding what he has so marvelously brought to our ears. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”