Johanan (Hebrew: “God is generous in grace”) was the son of Zebedee and Salome, who, according to tradition, was the daughter of Saint Joseph the Betrothed. He was the younger brother of the Apostle James and worked with him as a fisherman. Following the sermon at the Sea of Galilee, Johanan was chosen as one of Christ’s disciples and, along with his brother, left his father in the boat to follow Him (Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19). According to the Evangelist Mark, Jesus nicknamed the brothers “Boanerges” (Aramaic: “sons of thunder”) for their fiery temperament (Mark 3:17). For instance, they sought to punish a Samaritan village by calling fire from heaven (Luke 9:54) and requested to sit at Christ’s right and left in the Kingdom of Heaven.

John, along with James and Peter, was among Christ’s closest disciples. They witnessed significant events such as the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter, the Transfiguration, and Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane. On the cross, Jesus entrusted the care of His mother to the 16-year-old John. He is traditionally considered the author of five New Testament books: the Gospel of John, three epistles (1, 2, and 3 John), and the Revelation (Apocalypse).

After the Dormition of the Theotokos, John, accompanied by his disciple Prochorus, traveled to Asia Minor. In Ephesus, he preached to the pagans, performing miracles. During Nero’s persecution of Christians, John was brought to trial in Rome and sentenced to death by poisoning. However, he survived after drinking the poison. He was later plunged into boiling oil but emerged unscathed. Subsequently, John was exiled to the island of Patmos, where he continued to preach, casting out evil spirits and healing the sick.

Together with Prochorus, John retreated to a deserted mountain, fasting and praying for three days. The cave where they stayed shook, and thunder struck. Frightened, Prochorus fell to the ground, but John lifted him, instructing him to record the words he spoke. Prochorus wrote for two days and six hours. Upon returning to the village, John went on another fast, during which he received a divine vision interpreted by an angel. Thus, the Book of Revelation was composed.

After his exile, John returned to Ephesus. Between 85 and 95 CE, he wrote the Gospel of John, emphasizing the commandment to love God and one another, earning him the title “Apostle of Love.” John was the last of the Twelve Apostles to die, likely around 100 CE, and is believed to be the only apostle to die a natural death.

Iconography

In Ukrainian iconography, the Evangelist John frequently appears in the apostolic row of iconostases, in the Last Judgment scene, on Royal Doors, and on church pendentives. His symbol as an evangelist is the eagle, representing the theological heights he reached in his Gospel. Occasionally, an angel—traditionally associated with Matthew—is depicted instead.

John is typically portrayed in green and red or white and blue robes. He may appear as an elder with a long beard or as a beardless youth, particularly in Crucifixion scenes. His attributes include the Gospel, a feather, a stylus, and a chalice with a serpent symbolizing poison. Interestingly, unlike other evangelists, John is often depicted writing the Apocalypse rather than the Gospel. This is indicated by a mountainous landscape with a cave and a dynamic pose, with the evangelist pointing Prochorus toward the heavens.

M. Skop

Icons of Saint John the Evangelist