c) James the Less
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
, apostle, son of Alphaeus, brother of the Lord, author of the catholic epistle, and bishop of Jerusalem (Mark 15:40) - according to the general opinion presented by the source, the son of Clopas, or Alphaeus, and Mary. He was called the Less either because of his years or his stature, and in Galatians 1:19 he is called the Lord's brother (see also Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3). The source explains that he could bear this title because he was the Lord's first cousin, Mary his mother being the sister of the Mother of the Lord (John 19:25).
Alphaeus, or Clopas, Mary's husband, had by her three other sons besides James and three or more daughters. James is mentioned repeatedly in Acts (12:17; 15; 21) and in the apostolic epistles (1 Cor 15:7; Gal 1:19; 2:9, 12). While the other apostles labored in the Gospel, James remained in Jerusalem. Together with Peter, Barnabas, and Paul he attended the apostolic council in AD 48 or 49 and appears to have presided, since he delivered the final judgment with which all the other members agreed (Acts 15:13-19).
Hegesippus, one of the nearest successors of the apostles, bears witness to his lofty and strictly moral life. According to him, James was holy from birth, drank neither wine nor strong drink, ate no meat, did not cut his hair, and so forth. He alone was permitted to enter the sanctuary of the temple, and he was often found there on his knees praying for the people. Because of this holiness and piety, Hegesippus adds, he was called the Just. The first bishop of Jerusalem, he died as a martyr in AD 62. Tradition says that, while he was preaching about Jesus, the Jews threw him from the roof of the temple and stoned him; and because he continued to pray even for his tormentors, a fuller struck the righteous man on the head with a fuller's club, and he died.
He was buried on that same spot near the temple. His commemoration is celebrated on October 23 and December 26. Besides his catholic epistle, the apostle James left us a liturgy known by his name and ordinarily celebrated in Jerusalem on his feast day.