The Apostle and Evangelist St. John, called the Theologian, was the son of Salome and Zebedee and brother of James the greater. He was a fisherman by trade and while he and his brother were engaged in mending their nets in the boat by the lakeside with their father that Jesus called them. (Matt. 4: 21; Mk. 1: 19-20). Zebedee, fisherman of Galilee who possessed rather vast holdings with workers and was a member of some importance in the Jewish community, having access to the high priest. In the Gospels the two brothers are often called after their father as ‘Sons of Zebedee‘ and after the title received from Christ ‘Boanerges’ – ‘Sons of Thunder’ (Mk. 3: 17). John’s mother Salome was sister cousin of Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus: (Matt. 27: 56; Mk. 15: 40; Jn. 19: 25) and is mentioned as being one of the ranks of women who served God with their possessions. John (Gk. Loannes; from Heb. Yohanan – ‘Yahweh is gracious’).

There are three lists of women, who stand by the cross of Jesus. In Mark’s list Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and Joses and Salome (Mk. 15: 40). In John’s list Jesus’ mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas and Mary Magdalene (Jn 19: 25) and in Matthew’s list Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee children (Matt. 27: 56). Since, Mary the mother of James and Joses and Mary the wife of Cleopas is identified as the same person. So, the remaining person called Salome, is the sister of Jesus’ mother and the mother of Zebedee’s children. Thus, James and John were full cousins of Jesus. It could be that their close physical kinship to Jesus gave them a special claim to a specially favored place in His kingdom.

John seems to have a close connection with Peter.

• John, like St Peter, was at first the disciple of St. John the Baptist (Jn. 1: 35-42). Listening to his witness of Christ as the Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world, he, together with Andrew the First-Called, followed the Saviour.
• John and James were partners in fishing trade with Peter (Lk. 5: 10).

Being a steadfast disciple of the Lord, he and his brother James were called by the Lord Himself later after a successful catch of fish in the sea of Galilee.

• We find John and Peter going to Peter’s house after the Sabbath day worship in Capernaum (Mk. 1: 29).  
• He was worthy to be present, together with Peter and James, at the raising of the daughter of Jairus, to see Christ’s transfiguration on Mount Tabor, to hear the discourse on the signs of His Second Coming, and to witness to His prayer at Gethsemane.
• We find them sent together to prepare the last Passover meal (Lk. 22: 8). They acted together on many occasions in Acts. (3: 1; 4: 3; 8: 14 etc.).
• They were both part of the ‘inner circle of Apostles’ or Pillars of the Church, along with James (Gal. 2: 9) and Peter.
• John was the ‘other disciple’ who with Peter, followed Christ after the arrest of into the high priest’ house (Jn. 18: 15). 
• After the resurrection of Christ, John with Peter was the first to hasten to the tomb of Christ and first to believe that Christ has risen (Jn. 20: 2-8).

Out of humility, not calling himself by name but nevertheless speaking of himself in the Gospel, he refers to himself as the disciple “whom Jesus loved.” The Lord showed this love of him when He was on the cross—He entrusted His Most Holy Mother to him saying: “Behold thy mother.” This shows how close was the relationship of John with his Master, in which he always stood to his Lord and Master by the title ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved most’. St. John is believed to be the youngest Apostle of Christ.

Being a steadfast disciple of the Lord, he and his brother James were called by the Lord Himself later after a successful catch of fish in the sea of Galilee.

• In the first three Gospels, John seldom appears apart from James, for most part James and John are inseparable, and act and speak as one. James’ name is placed first, the conclusion can be drawn that John was the younger of the two brothers.
• John had a prominent place in the apostolic body, close to Jesus.
• John was deigned worthy to become close to the Lord, being with Him during the most important and triumphant times of His earthly life.
• In addition of being a member of the ‘inner circle’ we see John at the Last Supper he is placed next to Jesus, leaning on Jesus (Jn. 13: 23, 25). He was so close to the Lord that in his own words, he lay his head upon Christ’s bosom, whence originated his name “bosom-friend,” which has since become a name for someone who is especially close.
• John alone remained near his beloved Master, at the foot of the cross, with the Mother of Jesus and other woman and took into his care the last legacy of Christ (Jn. 19: 25-27).
• Then later at the Lake of Gennesaret, John was the first of the seven disciples present, to recognize his Master standing on the shore (Jn. 21: 7).

This shows how close was the relationship of John with his Master, in which he always stood to his Lord and Master by the title ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved most’.

• After the Pentecost, at Jerusalem, the Virgin Theotokos dwelt in the house of Saint John the Theologian, the beloved disciple of the Lord, at Mount Sion and in Ephesus. True to the Lord’s command, John was faithful to the trust, he cared for the Holy Virgin Mary as a most devoted son, (Jn. 19: 26-27) and only after her Blessed Dormition did he begin to preach in other lands.
• He was also the steadfast opponent of heresy (2 Jn 10-11)

John and James appear as men of ambition. Their Mother Salome came to Jesus with request for chief places for them, in His kingdom. It could be that their close physical kinship to Jesus gave them a special claim to a specially favored place in His kingdom. James and John were men of violent temper. Jesus on his last journey to Jerusalem took a route through Samaria. The Jews had no dealings with the people of Samaria. Hence, they discourteously refused hospitality. James and John reacted immediately and violently, “Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and consume them”. Jesus reminded them of His mission of saving and not destruction. (Lk. 9: 51-56) here they received the nick name – Boanerges, sons of thunder, due to their violent and explosive characters and with voices to thunder out in denunciation and condemnation.

Though John appears as a man of overreaching ambition, explosive temper and intolerable heart, he is always identified as a disciple whom Jesus loved most. So, a man of tempestuous nature, became a man of love under the hand of Jesus. Feeling the love of Christ toward himself, but as yet not enlightened with grace by the Holy Spirit, he decides to ask for himself and his brother James a place close to the Lord in His future Kingdom and learns of the impending sufferings for both of them.

After the Lord’s Resurrection, we often see Apostle John together with Apostle Peter, together with whom he is also considered a pillar of the Church, and with whom he often travels to Jerusalem. True to the Lord’s command, he cared for the Holy Virgin Mary as a most devoted son, and only after her Blessed Dormition did he begin to preach in other lands.

During Apostle John’s ministry, one notices that he uniquely chose for himself a specific province and directed all the energy of his soul to eradicate paganism there and strengthen the holy faith. As an example, of his specific care were the seven Churches of Asia Minor—in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. He lived mainly in Ephesus. John passes the pages of New Testament, and further information about him is from the realm of legend and tradition. Many of these rings true as from them, emerge a picture of John, which is closely consistent with writings of the New Testament. 

Church tradition also ascribes to John the authorship to five N. T. books – A Gospel, three epistles (which were incorporated into the New Testament books as Ecumenical (universal) Epistles), the Apocalypse book of Revelation. St. John focuses on God’s inexpressible love for the world and for mankind. He constantly exhorts his disciples to love one another. The main thought in his epistles was: Christians must learn to love: Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knows God. He that loveth not knows not God; for God is love (1 Jn. 4:7-8). Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fear is not made perfect in love. We love him because he first loved us. If a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also (1 Jn. 4:17-21).

Thus, he is best remembered as the Apostle of Love. His writings are permeated by love, which leads to the understanding that God is Love (1 Jn 4:8). The theme of love seems to flow throughout his writing. Though, he started out, rugged, intolerant, narrow-minded, unbending, reckless and impetuous; love is a quality and characteristic he learned from the Savior. Three years with Jesus changed everything! Jesus changed a Son of Thunder into an Apostle of Love! He writes of our love for Christ, Christs’ love for the Church, and our love for each other. At the end of his life, he constantly repeated words of exhortation “Little children, love one another“.

At the foot of the Cross, he stood with the Mother of God and heard the words of the Crucified Lord addressed to her from the Cross: “Woman, behold your son.” Then the Lord said to him, “Behold your Mother” (Jn 19: 26-27). From that moment the Apostle John, stayed in Jerusalem, cared for Mother Mary like a loving son, he served her until her Dormition (falling asleep). Perhaps after her death John moved on to Rome, where he came under persecution. (Eccl. Hist. 2,2) He was flung into a cauldron of boiling oil, before Porta Latina at Rome, but emerged unharmed. Then he was compelled to drink a cup of hemlock, but that too did no harm. Jerome adds these incidents made John purer and fresher.

Apostle John John was banished to the Island of Patmos, most probably during the time of Domitian (81-96), where he spent many years. Proceeding along on his way to the place of exile, St. John worked many miracles. On the island of Patmos, his preaching and miracles attracted to him all the inhabitants of the island, and he enlightened them with the light of the Gospel. He cast out many devils from the pagan temples, and he healed a great multitude of the sick. Thereafter After Domitian’s death, John returned to Ephesus, where he died a natural death at about A. D. 100 (the only one of the Apostles to do so), being around 105 years of age, during the time of Emperor Trajan.

Each year from the grave of the holy Apostle John on May 8 came forth a fine dust, which believers gathered up and were healed of sicknesses by it. Therefore, the Church also celebrates the memory of the holy Apostle John the Theologian on May 8.