St. John the Apostle (A.D. 6-100), the son of Zebedee and Salome, and was called to be an Apostle in the first year of Jesus’ public ministry. John is considered to be the same person as John the Evangelist, John of Patmos and the Beloved Disciple. John's older brother was St. James the Great, another one of the Apostles. Jesus referred to the brothers as "Boanerges," meaning "sons of thunder." John is believed to be the longest living apostle and the only one not to die a martyr's death.
John, along with Peter and James, were the only witnesses of the raising of Daughter of Jairus, and the closest witnesses to the Agony in Gethsemane. John was the one who reported to Jesus they had "'forbidden' a non-disciple from casting out demons in Jesus' name." This prompted Jesus to state, "he who is not against us is on our side."
John and Peter were the only two apostles sent by Jesus to make preparations for the Last Supper. During the meal, St. John sat next to Jesus, leaning on him rather than lying along the couches.
John was the only one of the Twelve who did not forsake Jesus in the hour of His Passion. He stood faithfully at the cross when Jesus made him the guardian of His Mother.
After the Assumption of Mary, John went to Ephesus, according to Church tradition. He later was banished by the Roman authorities to the Greek Island of Patmos; this is where he allegedly wrote the Book of Revelation.
John is known as the author of the Gospel of John and four other books in the New Testament - the three Epistles of John and the Book of Revelation.
St. John the Apostle is often depicted in art as the author of the Gospel with an eagle, symbolizing "the height he rose to in his gospel." In other icons, he is shown looking up into heaven and dictating his Gospel to his disciple.
St. John the Apostle’s feast day is celebrated on December 27th. He is the patron of love, loyalty, friendships, authors, editors, publishers, printers, book sellers, artists, and theologians.
The window was donated by Lodge Number 37 of the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America (PF of USA).