The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee reminded people on the feast day of St. James the Apostle that he was the first apostle to be killed over his beliefs.

“St. James, the brother of John the Evangelist, was the first Apostle to be martyred,” the diocese posted on Facebook. “Herod of Agrippa ordered his beheading.” 

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

James and his brother were fishing in the Sea of Galilee when Jesus approached them, Catholic.org reports. The brothers had been unable to catch any fish, but Jesus told them to cast their nets once more time, and when they pulled them in, they were full of fish. 

James witnessed some of the key events in Jesus' life, including the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. After Jesus ascended into heaven, James traveled across the Roman kingdom and Israel, spreading the Gospel, according to Catholic.org. When he returned to Jerusalem, King Herod beheaded him, making James the first apostle to be martyred for his faith.

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

“St. James, please pray for us!” the diocese said in its post.