Saint John

St. John the Divine, Apostle and Evangelist

St. John, according to the tradition of the church, is the writer of the Fourth Gospel and the book of Revelation. The church honours St. John on December 27th as the disciple whom Jesus loved (the beloved disciple) and the one who proclaimed Jesus as the 'Word made flesh'. John, and his brother James, were fishermen, and were first thought to be disciples of John the Baptist until they were called to follow Christ. As a disciple of Christ, John witnessed in an intimate way, the key events in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. He was there at the transfiguration of Jesus on the holy mountain, he was there at the last supper, he was there with Jesus in his agony in the garden of Gethsemane, he stood at the foot of the cross and was witness to the resurrection. After Christ's Ascension and the descent of the Holy Spirit, John, together with Peter, took a prominent part in the founding and guidance of the earl church. His whole life was lived as a witness to the living God and the incarnate Word. The symbol of St. John is the Eagle, representing the soaring majesty of his Gospel.

 

The Collect for St. John the Divine

Merciful Lord, cast your bright beams of light upon the Church: that, being enlightened by the teaching of your blessed apostle and evangelist Saint John, we may so walk in the light of your truth that we may at last attain to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ your incarnate Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and Forever. Amen.

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