St. John the Apostle
c. 5 - c. 100 AD
📅 Feast Day: Dec 27
📖 Life Timeline
c. 5 BC
Born in Bethsaida
c. 27 AD
Called by Jesus; inner circle
c. 30 AD
Entrusted with Mary's care at Cross
c. 95 AD
Writes Revelation on Patmos
c. 100 AD
Dies in Ephesus — only Apostle not martyred
✝ Biography
Son of Zebedee and Salome, younger brother of St James the Great. A fisherman on the Sea of Galilee at Bethsaida, called by Jesus along with his brother as 'Sons of Thunder' (Boanerges). One of the inner circle of three (with Peter and James) present at the Transfiguration, in Gethsemane, and at Jairus' daughter's raising. The 'beloved disciple' who reclined at Jesus' table at the Last Supper and stood at the foot of the cross, where Christ entrusted Mary to his care. Survived the persecution of Nero, exiled to Patmos where he received the Apocalypse (Revelation). Wrote the Fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and Revelation. Returned to Ephesus where he lived as the oldest Apostle into the reign of Trajan c.100 AD. The only Apostle to die of natural causes. His Gospel emphasizes Christ's divinity: 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.'
🛡 Patronage
Patron of: Authors, theologians, biblical scholars, and book publishers. The Beloved Disciple.
💬 Words of the Saint
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God.
📜 Key Facts
Born
c. 5 AD, Bethsaida
Died
c. 100 AD, Ephesus
Feast Day
Dec 27
Canonized
Pre-Tridentine
🕊 Legacy
John's Gospel provides the most profound reflection on Christ's divinity. His theology of love, light, and truth remains central to Christian spirituality.
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