St. James of Jerusalem was Jerusalem's first bishop and was martyred in A.D.62. His holy day is 23 October. He is referred to as the "Brother of Our Lord Jesus Christ". Also, as James the Just (named for being respected even by the Pharisees for his piety and strict observance of the Law) or James Protepiscopus (First Bishop). For many years he was the leader of the Christian congregation in Jerusalem. The Epistle of James in the New Testament and the Liturgy of St. James (one of the oldest known liturgies) are generally attributed to him.

His influence was by no means confined to Jerusalem, however. The Jerusalem Church was the mother church of all churches. As such it was naturally accorded the same kind of central authority over the Christian movement that Jerusalem and the Temple long had over the Jewish people. As Bishop of Jerusalem, he occupied a position of unrivaled importance in the early Christian movement. One small indication of this is the fact that although the name James was extremely common, JAMES could be identified simply by his name with no need for further explanation (1 Cor. 15:7; Galatians 2:12; Acts 12:17, 15:13, and 21:18). Furthermore, he bears the distinction of being the only Christian mentioned by name in a first century source not written by a Christian. The first century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus reports that in a period between Roman governors, James was martyred at the hands of the high priest Ananus II (who was son of Ananus and brother-in-law to Caiaphas). He had him executed by stoning, probably under the law that prescribed this penalty for someone who entices apostasy (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). There are also numerous other documents that show the esteem with which he was held in the early Church. As a consequence of his death, the Vespasian's Seige of Jerusalem started and a revolt in Judaea began. Such was his influence and power over both Christians and Jews in Jerusalem at that time.

Non Nobis, Domine, Non Nobis, Sed Nomini Tuo Da Glorium
Not unto us, O Lord, Not unto us, But to Thy Name Be Glory Given  Psalm 115