Saint Jude Thaddeus, or Jude the Apostle, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. Judas Thaddaeus is sometimes identified with Jude, the brother of Jesus, but is clearly distinguished from Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus before his crucifixion. Catholic writer Michal Hunt suggests that Judas Thaddaeus became known as Jude after early translators of the New Testament from Greek into English sought to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. Saint Jude Thaddeus may have also been the bridegroom at the wedding at Cana, when Jesus performed his first miracle (transforming water into wine). Do you know any good sources to identify Saint Jude Thaddeus?
Saint Jude Thaddeus Biography
Saint Jude Thaddeus was called by several names, and we do not know much about him. He was said to be Judas of James, for he was brother to James the Less, and he was called Thaddeus, which is as much to say as taking a prince; or Thadee is said of Thadea, that is a vesture, and of Deus, that is God, for he was vesture royal of God by ornament of virtues, by which he took Christ the prince.
Simon Cananean and Saint Judas Thaddeus are described as siblings of James the Less and sons of Mary of Clopas, who was married to Alpheus. The Epistle of Saint Jude is usually attributed to Saint Jude Thaddeus and is short. Some statues of Saint Jude include the letter; sometimes he is depicted holding a club. Tradition holds he was clubbed to death.
He was either martyred in 66 AD in Armenia or 65 AD in Beirut. However, we are reasonably sure he was martyred and clubbed to death. A similar fate befell all the apostles. According to one account, Saint Jude Thaddeus’ body was brought from Beirut to Rome and placed in a crypt in St. Peter’s Basilica. His bones were moved there on December 27, 1665. An arm was removed from Saint Jude Thaddeus’ remains centuries ago and placed in a wooden reliquary carved in the shape of an upright arm imparting a blessing. This is the relic that toured the US in 2024.
Is Saint Jude Thaddeus the Brother of Jesus?
There is some thought that Saint Jude Thaddeus was the brother of Jesus. Opinion is divided on whether Saint Jude Thaddeus was also Jude, brother of Jesus, the traditional author of the Epistle of Jude. Generally, Catholics believe the two Judes are the same person. According to the surviving fragments of the work Exposition of the Sayings of the Lord, Mary, the wife of Cleophas or Alphaeus, would be the mother of Judas, the brother of Jesus. Mary, the wife of Cleophas or Alphaeus, who was the mother of James the bishop and apostle, and of Simon and Thaddeus, and one Joseph.
In the lists in the Bible at Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18, Jude is omitted, but there is a Thaddeus (or in some manuscripts of Matthew 10:3, “Lebbaeus who was surnamed Thaddaeus”, as in the King James Version of the bible) listed in his place. This has led many Christians since early times to harmonize the lists by positing a “Jude Thaddeus,” known by either name. Many biblical figures have multiple names, only adding to the confusion.
Conclusion
Saint Jude Thaddeus is the patron saint of lost causes, according to the Catholic church. Therefore, those who have lost hope should pray to him. It does not matter; scholars are not sure of his precise identity, but we know Saint Jude Thaddeus existed and are fairly certain he was close to Jesus. We also have a famous relic of his to venerate.
