St. Bartholomew

Bartholomew belonged to the Twelve, lived in the company of Christ, and gave apostolic witness to the risen Lord. His name may be a patronymic meaning “son of Tolmai.” Many Christians have also identified him with Nathanael, the sincere Israelite whom Philip brought to Jesus and whom the Lord praised as a man without guile. This life regards that identification as reasonable, though not certain.

Ancient traditions send Bartholomew preaching through lands as varied as India, Armenia, Mesopotamia, Persia, Arabia, and Ethiopia. They also remember him as a martyr, with the familiar account that he was flayed before death. The routes and details cannot all be placed on the same historical footing, but the apostolic center remains firm. Bartholomew stood close to Christ, was sent by Him, and spent himself in witness to the Gospel. The Church therefore honors him as one of her apostolic foundations and as a missionary and martyr.