St. James the Less

In loving appreciation of Maude Brogdon Carlisle and James Henry Carlisle III. St. James the Less (which means simply "the younger") was also an apostle, yet we know little about him except he was "the son of Alpheus." He shares his feast day with St. Philip on May 1. In Western Church tradition he became conflated with James the Just, "the Lord's brother," who is remembered in our Calendar on October 23. We know more about James the Just, who led the church in Jerusalem, especially after the death of St. James the Great and the departure of Peter. He is recorded in Acts 15:13ff., as chief spokesman for the Jerusalem Church during the "council" regarding Paul's mission to the gentiles. He was a man of broad sympathies who encouraged Jewish traditions in the Church and yet was accepting of gentile differences. He was martyred in A.D. 64.
Our window which is named for St. James the Less shares elements of both these saints. We see a very youthful James ("the younger") who carries an Apostle's book of the Gospel, signifying his work of mission. The fuller's club which he holds is an emblem of James the Just, because according to an early account, this was the weapon of his martyrdom.
Our window which is named for St. James the Less shares elements of both these saints. We see a very youthful James ("the younger") who carries an Apostle's book of the Gospel, signifying his work of mission. The fuller's club which he holds is an emblem of James the Just, because according to an early account, this was the weapon of his martyrdom.