The San Judas Tadeo tattoo is a very popular tattoo in numerous cultures and amongst the Hispanic community. San Judas Tadeo is also known as Judas Thaddaeus or Jude the Apostle. Jude the Apostle is also known as the Patron Saint of Lost Causes. However, he means much more in many communities across the world. We will take a look at who Jude the Apostle was and why the San Judas Tadeo tattoo is such a popular image to be portrayed onto a persons’ skin.

History

Judas Thaddaeus was known as one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus from the bible. He is known by many names including Jude Thaddaeus, Thaddeaus, Jude, Judas Thaddaeus and Lebbaeus. Some have argued he was the brother of Jesus and the author of the Book of Jude in the bible but that is not accepted worldwide. The most widely accepted characterization of Jude Thaddeus he was one of Jesus’s 12 Apostles and a different Jude than the one that betrayed Jesus. Catholic tradition seems to error on the side that says all variations of Jude Thaddeus are the same person and the one that betrayed Jesus. On the other hand, Protestants tend to believe they were two different people.

Not much is known of Jude Thaddeus’ early life. Most will agree he was born around the same area of Galilee as was Jesus. This area is now a section of the northern part of Israel and to the south of Lebanon. Some also believe that Judas was the cousin of Jesus and say his mother was the sister of the Virgin Mary. Like many of the disciples of Jesus, Jude also preached the word of God in places like Mesopotamia, Libya, Syria, Idumaea, Sumaria and Judea.

Judas Thaddeus died a martyr at around 65 CE in Beirut which, at the time, was a province of Syria. Others say he was executed in Persia but one thing most will agree on is that he was beheaded by ax and that is why you’ll see the ax in most artwork that is depicting Judas. His body was taken to St. Peter’s basilica and his remains still reside in this location. If you’re ever to visit, you can find his remains in the left transept under the main alter of Saint Joseph. He was buried with Simon the Zealot whom he was also martyred with. However, one thing that everyone will agree on is that not everyone agrees on the history of the Patron Saint of Lost Causes.