St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Feast Day: December 27

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.” – 1 John 4:7

St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is honored as the beloved disciple of Jesus, the author of the Gospel of John, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. His feast day, celebrated on December 27, honors his unique role as a witness to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and as a teacher of divine love.

The Beloved Disciple

John, the son of Zebedee and brother of James the Greater, was a fisherman by trade. Called by Jesus while mending nets with his father, John left everything to follow Christ. Together with Peter and James, he was part of the innermost circle of the apostles, present at key moments such as the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus’s daughter, and the Agony in the Garden.

John is traditionally identified as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”, a reflection of his close relationship with the Lord.

A Witness of Faithful Love

Unlike the other apostles, John remained at the foot of the Cross during the crucifixion. There, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to John with the words, “Behold, your mother” (John 19:27). John took Mary into his home and cared for her as his own mother.

After the resurrection, John continued to preach the Gospel, enduring persecution and exile for his faith.

Evangelist and Theologian of Divine Love

John’s writings stand apart for their deep reflection on the divinity of Christ and the mystery of divine love. His Gospel begins with the profound words, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1), highlighting the eternal nature of Christ.

In his epistles, John teaches that “God is love” and that the Christian life is a response to that love through faith and charity.

The Apostle Who Did Not Die a Martyr

Tradition holds that John survived attempts on his life, including being plunged into boiling oil unharmed. He was eventually exiled to the island of Patmos, where he received the visions recorded in the Book of Revelation.

John is believed to have died of natural causes around the year 100 A.D., making him the only apostle who was not martyred.

A Witness to the Light of Christ

St. John is the patron saint of authors, theologians, writers, friendship, and love. His life and writings call the faithful to a deeper understanding of God’s love and to bear witness to the truth of Christ with both courage and compassion.

St. John the Apostle and Evangelist, pray for us!