James, son of Alphaeus, is one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, as listed in the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. He is often referred to as "James the Less" to distinguish him from James, the son of Zebedee. The epithet "the Less" may refer to his stature, age, or the prominence of his role among the apostles.

In the Gospel of Matthew, James is introduced in the list of the apostles: "These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him" (Matthew 10:2-4). Similar lists appear in Mark 3:16-19 and Luke 6:14-16.

Little is known about James, son of Alphaeus, beyond his inclusion in these lists. He is not mentioned individually in the New Testament outside of these contexts, which has led to various traditions and speculations about his life and ministry. Some traditions suggest he may have been the same person as James the Just, the brother of Jesus, although this identification is debated among scholars.

James, son of Alphaeus, is often associated with a life of humility and quiet service, reflecting the call of Christ to serve rather than to seek prominence. His feast day is celebrated on May 3rd in the Western Christian tradition, often alongside Philip the Apostle.

Simon the Zealot

Simon the Zealot is another of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is distinguished from Simon Peter by the epithet "the Zealot," which may indicate his previous association with the Zealots, a Jewish political movement that sought to overthrow Roman rule in Judea. This title is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke: "Simon called the Zealot" (Luke 6:15).

The Zealots were known for their fervent nationalism and their desire for Jewish independence, often resorting to militant means. Simon's inclusion among the apostles highlights the diverse backgrounds of Jesus' followers, who were united by their faith in Christ despite differing political and social views.

Simon the Zealot is listed among the apostles in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts: "Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James" (Acts 1:13). Beyond these listings, the New Testament does not provide further details about his life or ministry.

Tradition holds that Simon the Zealot preached the Gospel in various regions, including Egypt and Persia, and that he was martyred for his faith. His feast day is celebrated on October 28th in the Western Christian tradition, often alongside Jude Thaddeus.

Simon's transformation from a Zealot to a follower of Christ exemplifies the power of the Gospel to transcend political and ideological boundaries, uniting individuals in the mission of spreading the message of salvation.