St. Bartholomew

Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles and is traditionally identified with Nathanael, whom Jesus praised as a man without deceit.

The story

Bartholomew appears in the apostolic lists of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts as one of the Twelve chosen by Jesus. His name probably means son of Tolmai, which may be a family name rather than a personal name. The Gospels provide no separate narrative about an apostle called Bartholomew. From ancient times, many Christians have identified him with Nathanael in the Gospel of John, although the New Testament does not explicitly make that identification.

John relates that Philip found Nathanael and announced that he had found the one foretold by Moses and the prophets, Jesus of Nazareth. Nathanael first responded skeptically, asking whether anything good could come from Nazareth. Philip simply invited him to come and see. Jesus greeted Nathanael as a true Israelite in whom there was no deceit. After Jesus revealed knowledge of him that Nathanael could not explain, Nathanael confessed Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus then promised that he would see greater things. Nathanael also appears with other disciples beside the Sea of Tiberias after the Resurrection.

Little certain evidence survives about Bartholomew's later mission. Eusebius of Caesarea reported that the Christian teacher Pantaenus traveled to India in the second century and found there a Hebrew version of Matthew's Gospel said to have been left by Bartholomew. This report witnesses to an early missionary tradition, but it does not establish the apostle's itinerary. Other traditions place his preaching in regions called India, Mesopotamia, Persia, and Armenia. Ancient geographical names were sometimes used broadly, so the precise locations remain uncertain.

Tradition holds that Bartholomew suffered martyrdom, commonly in Armenia. Later accounts say that he was flayed alive and then beheaded, but the manner and place of his death cannot be confirmed from contemporary evidence. The knife and the removed skin therefore became his customary symbols in Christian art. Communities in Armenia, Lipari, Benevento, and Rome have long honored relics associated with him. As an Apostle with an ancient and universal cult, Bartholomew required no later process of canonization. The Roman Church celebrates his feast on August 24, honoring him as a witness chosen and sent by Christ.

What Bartholomew teaches

St. Bartholomew teaches honest seekers to bring questions to Christ rather than allowing first impressions to harden into unbelief. Jesus sees each heart completely and calls his disciples to witness without deceit. See John 1:45-51 and CCC 765.

Patronage

Armenia, tanners, leatherworkers, butchers.

Prayer

O God, you called St. Bartholomew to follow your Son and proclaim the Gospel. Through his intercession, free us from deceit, strengthen us in apostolic faith, and make us courageous witnesses to Christ. Amen.