CHURCH BUILDING
Saint James Cathedral
Jerusalem · Old City
A brief history
The Armenian cathedral took shape in the twelfth century and honours two saints named James: the son of Zebedee and James, the Lord’s brother. Armenian tradition associates their relics with the sanctuary. These devotional identifications should be distinguished from the date of the medieval building.
Saints & traditions
Acts records the execution of James, John’s brother, under Herod. The cathedral’s Armenian tradition venerates his head here, separately from the other James’s relics.