John the Evangelist

Saint John the Evangelist was born around 6 AD, traditionally in the land of Israel, and is revered as the beloved disciple who leaned close to Jesus at the Last Supper and bore intimate witness to the mystery of the Word made flesh. Christian tradition identifies him with John the Apostle, one of the Twelve and, with Peter and James, a pillar of the early Church in Jerusalem after the Lord’s Resurrection. Remembered for his steadfast fidelity, John is often held to be the only apostle to die a natural death, after a long life spent strengthening the faith of believers. The Church venerates him especially as the Evangelist who gave us the Gospel that soars in contemplation of Christ’s divinity, and as a shepherd whose teaching helped form the life of the early Christian communities, often associated with Ephesus. In Christian memory he is also linked with exile on Patmos during persecution, a sign of his perseverance in trial. He is patron of many places and communities that bear his name. His feast day is December 27.