James, brother of John, is called "the Greater" because he followed Christ before the other apostle of the same name; first of the twelve to be martyred, being decapitated by order of Herod Agrippa I, c. 44 A.D.; venerated at Campostella, Spain; named in the Roman Canon; patron of Spain, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
also on July 25:
Christopher (d. ca. 251 A.D.) is well known among seasoned Catholics. His image as a man carrying the child Jesus in his shoulders over a river has been part of devotional practice before Vatican II. Even when devotion to Christopher declined when the socio-historical side of the Catholic faith had been emphasized, he is still present in religious tradition. The image of Christopher carrying the child Jesus over a river, will always make the meaning of his name notable - "Christopher = Christ-bearer". He is the patron of travelers and also particularly of motorists. He will always be remembered as long as traditional devotional practices are still in place through religious art, imagery and literature. And if the need for divine protection for travel becomes necessary, devotion to Christopher may be important again.
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