Jude the Apostle (Saint Jude in the Catholic and Orthodox traditions), also known as Thaddaeus was one of Jesus' 12 disciples. In Catholic tradition he was the brother of the Apostle James the Less and therefore probably a relative of Jesus. In the Protestant tradition Jude the Disciple and Jude the brother of Jesus are considered to be different individuals.

He wrote one of the letters or epistles included in the New Testament, directed towards eastern churches and particularly the Jewish converts. Like all Apostles, Jude himself was originally Jewish.

He spread Christianity to Samaria, Judea, Syria, Idumaea, Mesopotamia and Libya. He returned to Jerusalem in the year 62, and assisted at the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem. Jude was martyred in Armenia while it was under the control of Parthia. Armenia did not convert to Christianity until the third century.

In the Gospels, Jude was the Apostle who asked Jesus during the Last Supper why Jesus would not show Himself to the entire world after the Resurrection.

In some Christian churches, Jude (St. Jude) is the Patron Saint of hopeless causes, desperate cases or very difficult circumstances. American actor Danny Thomas, a devout Catholic, named St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (the world-renowned children's hospital which treats all children regardless of ability to pay) after St. Jude.

In some cultures he is known as 'double-checking Thaddaeus' – some apocryphal works recorded that he was assigned the task of ensuring all disciples were aware of what was required of them.

Jude must not be confused with the traitor Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.

Feastday: October 28.

## See also[edit]

* The Twelve Apostles

## External links[edit]

* St. Jude Thaddaeus Catholic Online.