Saint John the Apostle

John was a Galilean fisherman, son of Zebedee and brother of James. With Peter and James he witnessed the Transfiguration and the agony in the Garden. At the Last Supper he leaned on Jesus' chest, and from the cross Jesus entrusted His mother to him: "Behold your mother." He wrote the fourth Gospel and three letters, and tradition credits him with Revelation. He died in old age at Ephesus.

Many parishes bless wine on his feast, "Saint John's wine", recalling the legend that he drank poisoned wine unharmed, and families toast "the love of Saint John". When December 27 falls on a Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Family takes its place.