It is the day of remembrance of St. David the Prophet and St. James the Apostle.

St. David the Prophet was the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth. He is the author of the Book of Psalms in the Bible, and also a gifted, brave, wise, eloquent, and handsome man. He was a shepherd. During the Philistine attack, he defeated the giant Goliath. After the death of Saul, he was the king of Israel and founded the city of Jerusalem. He is one of the greatest and most influential figures in the Old Testament. The Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, is from his lineage, for which he is valued.

St. James the Younger is the connecting link between the evangelical saints and the saints of the Acts of the Apostles. He is one of the dominant figures of the Early Church and the first bishop of Jerusalem. The Jewish historian Josephus called him “the just.” According to historical sources, some order him to climb a tower and speak evil of Jesus. However, he speaks of Jesus the Messiah, Who sits at the Right Hand of God and will come to judge the world in righteousness. Many come to faith, but the ill-wishers throw the saint down from the tower. According to tradition, he is buried in the St. James Cathedral of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. A general letter has come down to us in his name.

The Armenian Church celebrates the memory of the prophet David together with James the Younger Brother, because if David is the “forefather” of Christ according to the flesh, then James is his “brother” and relative. The names of these two saints are celebrated together to symbolize the merging of the Old and New Testaments in Christianity.

The Armenian Apostolic Church celebrates the memory of St. David the Prophet and St. James the Younger during the major holidays preceding Christmas.