St. John the Evangelist
Feast day: December 27
A Galilean, John was the son of Zebedee and brother of James the Greater. He was a fisherman, who along with Peter and James, became a member of the inner circle around Jesus. John was present at the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was also entrusted with the care of Mary at the Crucifixion. According to Tradition, John lived in Ephesus before being exiled to Patmos during the reign of Emperor Domitian. Known as “the Beloved Disciple,” John authored the fourth Gospel, three epistles and the Book of Revelation. He is patron saint of authors.
Collect
O God, who through the blessed Apostle John
have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word,
grant, we pray,
that we may grasp with proper understanding
what he has so marvelously brought to our ears.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
