It is highly contested this is the body of St. James the Greater (click here). The reasoning frequently is related to the change in majority religions of Spain from the Moors coming from north Africa practicing Muslim to the later the Christians.
The Christians of Spain were originally from small kingdoms in the northern parts of Spain.
Eventually, Christianity would spread through the peninsula.
The idea that James the Greater was responsible for this change in majority faith in Spain stems from the fact he was rarely mentioned in the Bible. He also is not believed to have authored any books of the Bible. There are two James in the Bible; James the Greater, son of Zebedee and James, son of Alphaeus.
Now, if this seems murky, it is probably because it is. There is a lot of interpretation within the actual books of the Bible. Some of these figures are more or less interpretations and/or validations of people within the writing of the books that exist in the Bible.
James the Greater is noted in several books of the mainstay of the Bible, Matthew, Mark and John. The best example is Mark 3:17 "to James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, he gave the fresh name of Boanerges, that is, Sons of thunder."
Boanerges in interpretation is "Sons of Thunder." These two men were known to have a fiery temper. It was indicative of the people of that time and place. James the Greater is also called fiery when he demand Jesus prove his power as the "Son of God" by burning down a village. He would also prove a test to his faith along with his mother as they frequently enjoyed the temporal rewards of Christ's kingdom. And Jesus would set them straight by pointing to the fact his kingdom was one of meekness, humility and suffering.
John 18:36 My kingdom is not of this world - Is not an external, but a spiritual kingdom; that I might not be delivered to the Jews - Which Pilate had already attempted to do, Joh 18:31, and afterward actually did, Joh 19:16.
This not about James or anyone else, but, a personal observation. I believe it is that passage most often used in the politics of the south to oppress. Just an observation.
James the Greater, pictured right, would be the first to be martyred in belief of the faith as Jesus taught it. He was beheaded in 44AD. He wasn't around when the massive change in majority faith changed in Spain, however, there is a window of doubt he would have come to the northern peninsula.His death is announced in the Bible:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Acts 12: 1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,
New American Standard Bible
Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.
Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them.
James beheading occurred at the order of King Herod. Herod was the king of Judea. Judea is south of the Sea of Galilee, just north of the Dead Sea. It isn't really likely James the Greater would have gone to Spain and then come back to Judea.
The only writings attributed to James is this letter, called "The Epistle of James." But it's age is considered about the third century AD. The author James is mostly believed to be a follower of Christ. He mentions patient perseverance and overcoming temptation. It is believed to be addressed to the 12 tribes scattered abroad. This usually means Palestine. If this James traveled it might be he that lay in state in Spain. James 1:1
English Standard Version (ESV)
1 James, a servant[a] of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Late 19th and 20th century excavations (click here) under the cathedral have disclosed a Roman-period tomb below the high altar, and a stone inscribed with the names Athanasius and Theodore.
