General presentation of Saint Jude Thaddeus
Saint Jude Thaddeus, also known as Thaddeus to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot, is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospels, he is the brother of James the Lesser and a cousin of Jesus, although he appears only briefly in the biblical texts. His main mention in the New Testament is during the Last Supper, where he asks Jesus how He will reveal Himself to the apostles and not to the world. Jude is also the author of the Epistle of Jude, which calls for faithfulness to the faith. He preached in various regions, including Mesopotamia and Persia, where he was martyred. Saint Jude is venerated as the patron saint of desperate causes.
Correspondence chart of Saint Jude Thaddeus
| Role | Apostle |
| Patronage | Desperate, urgent, and impossible causes |
| Feast | October 28 |
Symbols and appearances of Saint Jude Thaddeus
Saint Jude is often depicted with a club or an axe, symbolizing the way he was martyred. He also wears a flame above his head, a sign of his presence at Pentecost. In some depictions, he holds a medallion with the image of Jesus, highlighting his closeness to Christ. The palm, a sign of martyrdom, is also a common attribute in his iconography.
Myths of Saint Jude Thaddeus
Saint Jude is best known for being invoked in desperate causes. One of the most popular legends is that of King Abgar V of Edessa, who suffered from an incurable disease. He reportedly heard about the miracles of Jesus and sent a letter to meet Him. After the resurrection, Jesus is said to have sent Jude to heal the king, which explains why he became the saint of lost and desperate causes.
