He was the son of Alphaeus and Maria Cleophas. He
belonged to the group of twelve apostles around Christ (Matthew 10,3). After the death of Jacob he becomes head of the congregation in Jerusalem. He was assigned to preach the
Gospel in Judaea (Palestine). He is said to have revoked his belief from the pinnacle of the temple and at the instigation of the high priest Hannas in the year 62 AD he was slain
with a pole. The ideal garments for the apostles consisted of tunic and stola. He is usually depicted with Bible or scroll, which symbolise his leading role and his preaching
of the Gospel.
