Saint James the Great (T.G.) is celebrated annually in Australia on July 25. Saint James, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and the patron saint of Spain, is honoured on this day for his life and achievements.
The background of St James TG
Saint James, according to the New Testament, was the first apostle to be martyred. He also witnessed Christ’s transfiguration, so he was deemed a member of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples. St. James is also significant because his is the only apostle whose martyrdom is documented in the Bible. Luke records in Acts 12:2 that Herod Agrippa I of Judaea ordered the execution of James by sword in 44 A.D. According to tradition, his remains are held in Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.
In the Roman Catholic Church, James the Great’s feast day commemorates the life of Jesus’ disciple. On the holiday, a pilgrimage known as the “Way of St. James” is made to his burial. It has been one of the most prominent pilgrimages undertaken by Catholics in Western Europe. During the early Middle Ages, pilgrimage began. However, the number of devotees declined gradually over the succeeding decades. However, Walter Starkie’s 1957 book, “The Road to Santiago,” reignited public interest in the pilgrimage, making it more popular than ever.
When July 25 falls on a Sunday, the year is considered sacred, and a special entrance to the Santiago Cathedral is opened. In 2004, which was a Holy Year, approximately 179,944 devotees made the journey. These individuals finished the final 62-mile trek to Santiago. By the time the Holy Year of 2010 arrived, the number of pilgrims had increased to 272,412. The following sacred year will occur in 2027.
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Mount Kosciuszko is the tallest mountain in Australia, with an elevation of 2,228 metres.
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The Great Barrier Reef in eastern Australia is the largest coral reef system in the globe.
ST JAMES TG DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 25 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | July 25 | Thursday |
| 2025 | July 25 | Friday |
| 2026 | July 25 | Saturday |
| 2027 | July 25 | Sunday |
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