St. James, July 25
A fisherman of Galilee and brother of John, James was one of the first disciples called by Jesus. He was the first apostle to die for the faith, beheaded in Jerusalem around 44. By tradition his body rests at Santiago de Compostela, the goal of one of Europe’s great pilgrimages.
On the General Roman Calendar, July 25 is a feast: Saint James, Apostle.
Other saints on July 25
- St. Christopher, martyr (3rd century)
Name days on July 25
In countries that keep name days, July 25 is the day for people named James, Jacob, Jim, Jamie, and Christopher. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| James | July 25 |
| Jacob | July 25 |
| Jim | July 25 |
| Jamie | July 25 |
| Christopher | July 25 |
July 25 on the calendar
July 25 is the 206th day of the year (the 207th in a leap year), with 159 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | Wednesday |
| 2030 | Thursday |
Keeping July 25
July 25 falls in summer. As a feast, it is kept by the whole Church with its own readings and the Gloria at Mass. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named James, Jacob, Jim, and Jamie, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around July 25
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| July 22 | St. Mary Magdalene |
| July 23 | St. Bridget of Sweden |
| July 24 | St. Sharbel Makhlouf |
| July 26 | Sts. Joachim and Anne |
| July 27 | St. Pantaleon |
| July 28 | St. Samson of Dol |
The day before, July 24, is the day of St. Sharbel Makhlouf. The day after, July 26, belongs to Sts. Joachim and Anne. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.