Who was St. Bartholomew?
St. Bartholomew is also known as Nathanial in the scriptures. He was introduced to Jesus by his good friend, St. Philip. What a wonderful reminder that good friends always bring us closer to Jesus. Immediately upon being introduced, Jesus gives Bartholomew high praise saying, “There is no duplicity in him.”
Known for being well-liked and for being very curious, St. Bartholomew became the 6th apostle. Here is the passage from the Book of John:
Philip found Nathanael and told him “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
John 1: 45 to 51Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true child of Israel. There is no duplicity in him.” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” And he said to him, “Amen, amen I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Photo by : Olaf Müller-Michaels via FLickr.
What happened to Bartholomew after the crucifixion?
After the Resurrection, Bartholomew was among the apostles who witnessed Jesus on the sea of Galilee (John 21:2) After the Ascension, he traveled widely to preach the gospel and converted hundreds.
In Armenia, he converted the king to Christianity, cast a demon out of the temple, and destroyed idols. The king’s brother was so angered, that he had Bartholomew skinned alive and then beheaded. This is why in art, St. Bartholomew is frequently portrayed holding a knife and his own skin suit!
How then account for the fact that these men, who in Christ’s lifetime did not stand up to the attacks by the Jews, set forth to do battle with the whole world once Christ was dead—if, as you claim, Christ did not rise and speak to them and rouse their courage? Did they perhaps say to themselves: “What is this? He could not save himself but he will protect us? He did not help himself when he was alive, but now that he is dead he will extend a helping hand to us? In his lifetime he brought no nation under his banner, but by uttering his name we will win over the whole world?” Would it not be wholly irrational even to think such thoughts, much less to act upon them?
It is evident, then, that if they had not seen him risen and had proof of his power, they would not have risked so much. From a homily on the first letter to the Corinthians by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop
Father Lawrence Lew, OP via Flickr licensed cc
The patron saint of …
Bookbinders; butchers; cobblers; Florentine cheese merchants; Florentine salt merchants; leather workers; nervous diseases; neurological diseases; plasterers; shoemakers; tanners; trappers; Gambatesa, Italy; Armenia.
For More Information and How to Celebrate:
Some interesting traditions for St. Bart’s day in England and why St. Guthlac venerated him.
Eat some St. Bart’s Beef, or chicken cooked in it’s own skin St. Bart’s Day – Catholic Foodie
Catholic Culture
Book of Days