Icon of the Holy Apostle Evangelist John – embroidered, framed, 15x18cm.The Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, also known as John the Word of God, was one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is renowned for his canonical writings in the New Testament: the Gospel, three Epistles, and the Apocalypse.
The son of the fisherman Zebedee and Salome, from Bethsaida, Galilee, the Holy Apostle John began his Christian journey as a disciple of St. John the Baptist. During the Baptism of the Lord, the Forerunner pointed to Jesus, saying, "Behold the Lamb of God!" When they saw Him, Christ asked them, "What are you seeking?" to which Andrew and John replied, "Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?" And Jesus said to them, "Come and see!"
In his writings, John refers to himself as the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 21:20). Among all the Apostles, he was the closest to the Savior. He was with Him everywhere, even in the judgment hall when He was humiliated, in the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus prayed and sweat drops of blood, and all the way to Golgotha. At the Last Supper, he leaned on the Savior's chest, a custom of theirs through which the Teacher imparted divine lessons to him.
Alongside the Apostles Peter and James, John witnessed the most significant moments in the earthly life of Jesus Christ, including the resurrection of Jairus' daughter, the Transfiguration, and the prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. During the Crucifixion, he was entrusted with caring for the Virgin Mary, accompanying her to her honorable Dormition. After Jesus' resurrection, John was the first to examine the empty tomb.
The Holy Apostle John is the only one among the twelve who did not suffer martyrdom. After the Dormition of the Mother of God, he went to Ephesus to preach the Gospel of Christ. Around the years 90-95, he was exiled to the island of Patmos by Emperor Domitian. In a cave on this rocky island, he received the revelation about the end of the world, which he recorded in the prophetic book of the Apocalypse.
The Holy Apostle and Evangelist John passed into eternity near Ephesus, where he was also buried. Tradition says that before departing, he took seven disciples with him and instructed them to dig a cross-shaped grave, where he willingly lay down, falling asleep in Christ.
The Holy Apostle John is commemorated three times a year, as follows:
- on May 8th, the memorial of the healing dust, which miraculously emerges from his tomb every year;
- on June 30th, together with the other Holy Apostles;
- on September 26th, the day he passed into eternity.
