1st century
The Holy Twelve Apostles
The twelve disciples of Christ, commemorated together on 30 June.
Biography
On 30 June the Church honours together the twelve apostles chosen by Christ himself: Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John the sons of Zebedee, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Jude the brother of James, and Matthias, who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot shortly before Pentecost.
This shared feast, distinct from each apostle's own commemoration during the year, recalls the unity among them and serves as a model of zeal for spreading the Gospel; the word 'apostle' itself means 'one who is sent', that is, someone sent to preach Christ's message to the whole world.