Saint Joseph of Arimathea
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| Saint Joseph of Arimathea | |
| Feast Day | March 17 (Western); July 31 (Eastern) |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | funeral directors; pallbearers; Glastonbury |
| Birthplace | Arimathea (Ramathaim-Zophim), Judea |
| Death Place | Unknown (tradition: Glastonbury, England) |
| Cause of Death | natural causes (tradition) |
| Primary Shrine | Glastonbury Abbey (traditional), England |
Saint Joseph of Arimathea was a 1st-century Jewish nobleman and secret disciple of Jesus who, according to all four canonical Gospels, provided his own new tomb for the burial of Christ and courageously requested the body from Pontius Pilate after the Crucifixion.[1] Identified in the Synoptics as a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin “waiting for the kingdom of God” (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50–51) and in John as a hidden follower “for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38), he acted with Nicodemus to anoint and bury Jesus with 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes, wrapping the body in fine linen.[2]
Venerated from the earliest centuries without formal canonization, Joseph appears in the Roman Martyrology on 17 March (Western tradition) and 31 July (Eastern tradition). Early Church Fathers such as Origen and Jerome mention him, and his role in the burial established him as a model of courageous discipleship. Medieval Western legends—first recorded in the 12th–13th centuries—identify him as the keeper of the Holy Grail and founder of Christianity in Britain, planting the Glastonbury Thorn and building the first church at Glastonbury; these narratives, while unsupported by earlier sources, became central to Arthurian romance and English Christian identity.[3]
Biography
Birth
No historical records exist concerning the birth of Saint Joseph of Arimathea. The Gospels place him in Judea during Jesus’ ministry; tradition identifies his hometown as Arimathea (Ramathaim-Zophim).
Early Life
Nothing is known of Joseph’s life before the Crucifixion. The Gospels describe him as a wealthy, respected councillor and secret disciple.
Occupation
Member of the Sanhedrin; owner of a rock-hewn tomb near Jerusalem.
Vocation
Joseph’s vocation culminated in publicly claiming Jesus’ body, risking reputation and safety to give honourable burial.
Death
No reliable information exists concerning the death of Saint Joseph of Arimathea. Western medieval tradition places it in Britain; Eastern tradition is silent.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea met his end peacefully, according to tradition.
Significant events
- Requested Jesus’ body from Pilate and provided his own tomb (Matthew 27:57–60; Mark 15:42–46; Luke 23:50–53; John 19:38–42).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
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Parishes
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Shrines
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Canonization
As a biblical saint, Saint Joseph of Arimathea was venerated from the earliest centuries without formal canonization.
Miracles
No authenticated miracles are recorded beyond medieval legends of the Holy Grail and Glastonbury Thorn.
Patronage
Saint Joseph of Arimathea is patron of funeral directors, pallbearers, and (informally) Glastonbury.
Feast day
March 17 (Western); July 31 (Eastern)
Veneration
Saint Joseph of Arimathea is venerated on 17 March in the Roman Calendar. Medieval British tradition links him to Glastonbury.
External links
References
- ↑ "St. Joseph of Arimathea". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08505a.htm.
- ↑ "St. Joseph of Arimathea". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=27.
- ↑ "Saint Joseph of Arimathea". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Joseph-of-Arimathea.