The Twelve Apostles: The First 12 Men Chosen by Jesus

The Galilean fishmonger, Peter, emerged as pre-eminent amongst the apostles. We look at his controversial life and career ending with his martyrdom in Rome and his place in laying the foundation of the Catholic Church.

John, part of Jesus’ inner circle, was exiled on the Greek island of Patmos where tradition believes he wrote the Book of Revelation. We chart his life and career and assess his contemporary impact through the literature named after him.

James, a Galilean fisherman, was the first apostle to be martyred. His influence and legacy live on today in the pilgrim journey through the exquisite landscape of Northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela where his relics are kept.

The call of Matthew was a bold move on the part of Jesus. However, this despised tax collector turns up as the patron saint of bankers and a potential role model for City tycoons. His memory lives on the first gospel named after him.

Full of apparent doubt when confronted with the resurrected Jesus, Thomas had a gospel named and he took the gospel to India. We trace the story of Thomas and the impact on the Christian community in South India that follow his footsteps.

Little is known of these apostles in the Bible but legend suggests they worked as a team traveling from Egypt to Mesopotamia. Bartholomew has strong links with the City of London with a hospital in his name and close associations with Smithfield meat market.

Beyond appearing in the list of disciples, nothing is known of these three. Is their anonymity accidental or are there intriguing connections with Jesus’ family? Jude appears as the saint of lost causes in Chicago’s depressed Southside.

Judas has been the symbol of evil and treachery but does he deserve this reputation? Why has he continued to fascinate writers, actors and artists? It is time to re-examine his role in the Jesus story and in the centuries that followed.

From very early on, Mary was given the title ‘Apostle of the Apostles’. We follow her career as a close follower of Jesus and, contrary to popular belief, show how she is a role model for the Christian life and a powerful feminist voice.