|
This very symbolic St. John the Evangelist statue depicts St. John seated holding a chalice with an eagle behind him. He also holds up the words from the book of John, 1:1 "In Principio E Rat Verbum" (In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God). The eagle represents John's soaring role in the early Church. The chalice is known for several things including as part of the Last Supper, a reference to the story of poisoned wine being turned into a snake, or more likely Jesus' reference to drinking from His chalice.
The Prayer to St. John
God our Father, you have
revealed the mysteries
of your word through John
the apostle.
By prayer and reflection
may we come to
understand the wisdom
he taught.
We ask through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, Our Lord,
who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Exclusively by Roman
St. John
Patron Saint Of Friendship And Writers (First Century)
John, the Apostle and evangelist was loved by Jesus above the others. As he was dying on the cross, Jesus entrusted his mother Mary into the care of John. Fishermen by trade, John and his brother James were the sons of Zebedee. They were disciples of John the Baptist and were called by Jesus during the first year of his ministry. John, James, and Peter were the innermost circle of their Lord's friends and were with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. John was the only one of the twelve Apostles not to abandon Jesus in the hour of His Passion. Upon hearing of the Resurrection, John was the first to reach the tomb. When he met the risen Christ at the Lake of Tiberias, John was again first - this time to recognize his Savior and friend.
In the persecution of the roman emperor Domitian, John was taken to Rome, and was beaten, poisoned, and thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. When he stepped from the cauldron without any injuries, Domitian banished him to the mines in Patmos. Eventually he was set free and subsequently wrote his Gospel. In addition to the fourth Gospel and three Epistles, John is believed by some to have also been the author of the Book of Revelation. John lived to a very advanced age and survived all his fellow Apostles. He is the patron saint of friendship, writers, printers, booksellers, and burn victims.
Feast Day: December 27th
Exclusivity by Roman.