OCTOBER 09
Holy Apostle James the son of Alphaeus one of the Twelve Apostles, was the brother of the holy Evangelist Matthew. He heard the Lord’s words and witnessed His miracles. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle James Alphaeus and the Apostle Andrew the First-Called (November 30), made missionary journeys preaching in Judea, Edessa, Gaza, Eleutheropolis, proclaiming the Gospel, healing all sorts of sickness and disease, and converting many to the path of salvation. St James finished his apostolic work In the Egyptian city of Ostrachina, where he was crucified by the pagans.
Troparion — Tone 3
Holy Apostle James, / entreat the merciful God / to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
Kontakion — Tone 2
Let us bless James, praising him as the messenger of God, / for he filled the souls of the pious with wise dogmas. / Standing at the throne of glory before the Master, / he rejoices with all the angels unceasingly praying for us all.