Saint Jude Thaddaeus

Early Life

Saint Jude Thaddaeus is also called Jude Lebbaeus or Jude the Apostlebecause he was one of the 12 disciples picked by Jesus Christ.

He is said to be confused as Judas Iscariot, which is very wrong. Thismight account for the reason why his original name Judas was shortenedto Jude by the historians.

Saint Jude is associated as a brother to Saint James the Less. He isalso said to be a cousin of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Saint Jude was born around the first century in Galilee in the RomanEmpire. He was said to have been mentioned in the New Testament of theBible about six times under supposedly different introductions.

While there are various arguments concerning who his family was, mostBiblical scholars seem to agree that Saint Jude was born to Clopas and awoman called Mary, cousin to the Blessed Virgin.

This is supported by pieces of historical research that often refer tohis father as Alphaeus. While some of these fragments claim that SaintJude was brother to Joseph, Apostle James, and even Simon and Thaddaeus,others beg to differ.

Some reports simply place him among a Jewish family in Paneas, Galilee.

Dedication and Devotion

Some historical accounts claim that Saint Jude was a preacher. He wassaid to have been to places like Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Mesopotamia,and even Libya.

Tradition claims the Saint was fluent in both Aramaic and Greek which heused to preach. Ge was also a farmer at the time.

His family were devout Christians and his father may have beenpersecuted for his belief in Jesus Christ. Saint Jude himself iscredited by many to have been the first, along with Apostle Bartholomew,to bring Christianity to the Armenians.

Saint Jude was said to have been part of those who elected his brotherSimeon (Saint Simeon) as Bishop of Jerusalem around the year 62.

Many historians claim that Saint Jude was the disciple in the Bible whosat with Jesus Christ at the Last Supper and asked him why he won’tappear to the world after he was resurrected.

Legacy

Saint Jude was said to have written epistles to various Churches In theEast. Some people even think that some of these letters might have beensent to the early Jews.

Saint Jude was one of the early Christians who stood against theSimonian, Nicolaite, and Gnostic heresies.

Saint Jude wasn’t just a follower of Christ. He was a great preacherwho risked his life to spread the Gospel. Various miracles have beenaccounted to the great man’s name.

Death and Canonization

Although not proven, Saint Jude was said to have been martyred around 65A.D in Beirut. He might have been with Apostle Simon of Zealot, who wasprobably also martyred.

Many traditions claim that he might have been killed with an axe. Manyothers claim that he might have been executed in Armenia.

Saint Jude’s body might have been brought to Saint Peter’s Basilica inRome. This was a popular pilgrim site chosen by many faithful. His bodymight have been kept under Saint Joseph’s altar.

Some people claim that his body was left in an Armenian monastery inKyrgyzstan until the 15th century.

Saint Jude was Canonized Pre-Congregation. He is often depicted inartworks holding a club or an axe. He might also be seen with a flamearound his head. This is supposed to signify his presence at thePentecost.

He might also be seen holding the picture of Jesus, depicting the imageof Edessa.

Saint Jude is venerated across all Christian denominations and even inIslam. In respect to the Saint, there are shrines dedicated to him allover the world in places like Australia, Brazil, Sri Lanka, and evenLebanon.

5 Interesting Facts About Saint Jude Thaddaeus

1. Did you know that Saint Jude was reported to have been a vegetarian?
2. Did you know that the Chicago Police Department claimed Saint Jude
   as their patron saint
3. Did you know that Saint Jude was said to have been the groom at the
   wedding that Jesus Christ attended?
4. Did you know that Saint Jude is referred to as the patron saint of
   the Hopeless, the Despaired, and the Impossible?
5. Did you know that Saint Jude might be seen holding a scroll that
   signifies his epistle?

Prayer to Saint Jude Thaddaeus

Most Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend ofJesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master intothe hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by many, but theChurch honours and invokes you universally as the patron of hopelesscases and things despaired of.

Pray for me who is so needy; make use, I implore you of that particularprivilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help isalmost despaired.

Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive theconsolations and succour of heaven in all my necessities, tribulations,and sufferings particularly (here mention your petition) and that I maybless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity.

I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever mindful of this great favour,and I will never cease to honour you as my special and powerful patronand to do all in my power to encourage devotion to you. Amen.

Source:[https://www.stjudeshrine.org/sj/prayers_to_st_jude/]{.ul}