The son of Zebedee and Salome. Fisherman and brother of Saint James the Great, John was called one of the Sons of Thunder. He was a disciple of Saint John the Baptist. friend of Saint Peter the Apostle.

      He was called by Jesus during the first year of His ministry, and travelled everywhere with Him, becoming so close as to be known as the beloved disciple. John took part in the Last Supper. He was the only one of the Twelve not to forsake the Saviour in the hour of His Passion, standing at the foot of the cross. Made guardian of Our Lady by Jesus, he took her into his home. Upon hearing of the Resurrection, he was the first to reach the tomb; when he met the risen Lord at the lake of Tiberias, he was the first to recognize Him.

      During the era of the new church, he worked in Jerusalem and at Ephesus. During Jesus' ministry, he tried to block a Samaritan from their group, but Jesus explained the open nature of the new way, and he worked on that principle to found churches in Asia Minor and baptizing converts in Samaria.

      He was imprisoned with Peter for preaching after Pentecost. He wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and possibly the Book of Revelation. He survived all his fellow apostles and died in 101 at Ephesus (modern Turkey). A church was built over his tomb, which was later converted to a mosque.