Saint James the Greater Brief outline of the Saint’s life  St James the Greater was the brother of John the Evangelist/ beloved disciple and both were sons of Zebedee and Salome. Jesus called the two brothers while working on their father’s boat on the Sea of Galilee (American Catholic). The saint witnessed Jairus daughter come back to life, the Transfiguration and agony of Gethsemane. Jesus chose James as one of the people to spread the Gospel, and his journey to Spain achieved this.