Santoral of July: Santiago Apóstol, San Joaquín, Santa Ana and Santa Marta
One of the friends of Religious Articles Brabander has sent us some reflections on the Saints that we will celebrate in the coming week (July 25 and July 26) and that we have decided to share with you.
This week we have important Saints and Saints who are an example for our lives.
July 25, day of Santiago Apóstol, patron saint of Spain and Galicia
Santiago Apóstol is also known as Santiago el Mayor , to distinguish him from another Apostle Santiago, the Minor.
Santiago was brother of San Juan , Apostle and evangelist. His father's name was Zebedee and he was a fisherman.
James the Apostle was called by the Lord to be an Apostle. The Apostle left everything to follow Jesus.
After the coming of the Holy Spirit he began to preach throughout the world. For announcing Christ he had serious difficulties throughout his life. The religious authorities forbade him to speak about Jesus, although they could not silence him.
King Herod Agrippa “had James, brother of John, beheaded” according to the book of Acts of the Apostles 12,2. It was Easter of the year 44.
After his death, trace of his body disappears. Throughout many centuries the whereabouts of the remains of Santiago el Mayor are unknown. Only a thousand years after his death, his Holy Sepulcher is discovered in Santiago de Compostela . From this moment.
The Iberian Peninsula at that time is divided in two. On one side are the northern kingdoms, the Christian kingdoms. While on the other side are the southern Muslim (Moorish) kingdoms. It is a time of great clashes between supporters of the two religions.
The appearance of the tomb and the Body of the Apostle Santiago is a great support for the defenders of the true faith. Christians invoke Santiago as a defender of the Catholic religion and he is recognized as the patron of the Christian kingdoms to fight against the Moors. Here the legend of Santiago “kills Moors” is born.
One of the classical representations of Santiago Apóstol is in which the Saint appears mounted on horseback with the sword and the Muslims (Moors) under the horse. This representation, known as the "Moor-killing" Santiago, was especially important during the Reconquest period. Nowadays this type of image is less and less used. Instead, the images of Santiago Apóstol dressed as a pilgrim are used. The Saint is represented with the classic garments of the pilgrims who traveled the Camino de Santiago. A hat decorated with a scallop shell and its pilgrim staff represents what Santiago was in life.
July 26: San Joaquín and Santa Ana, parents of the Virgin.
Santa Ana and San Joaquín are the parents of the Virgin Mary, and therefore, the maternal grandparents of Jesus. San Joaquín and Santa Ana are the patron saints of the grandparents. Every July 26, we celebrate and recognize the immense work they did in the education of the Virgin Mary.