John was the youngest of Christ’s twelve disciples. He is called the apostle of love. John was present at Christ’s crucifixion and Christ entrusted his mother to John’s care. After the Virgin Mary’s death, John travelled with Peter preaching the gospel and was miraculously spared a martyr’s death on two occasions. John has become known chiefly for the gospel that bears his name, his letters and the Book of Revelation.

John’s primary attributes are the eagle, as the symbol of the highest inspiration, a writing quill (lost from the sculpture) and a book, a reference to his writings.

The day of St. John the Evangelist, little St. John’s Day, is 27 December in the folk calendar.