Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus according to the New Testament. Most scholars today identify Bartholomew as Nathanael, who appears in the Gospel of John.

In the Bible:

There are only four mentions of St. Bartholomew in the New Testament: one in each of the three Apostle lists in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and also in Acts 1:13. Nothing else is known about him from Scripture. However, given that Bartholomew is a family name meaning "son of [Hebrew: bar] Tolmai, or Talmai," and because he was always associated with St. Philip the Apostle in the Gospel lists, there is speculation that he may be the Nathanael mentioned in John 1:43-51, who was called with Philip by Jesus. His full name would then be Nathanael bar Tolmai. This identification seeks to explain how the otherwise unknown Bartholomew could be mentioned in the Apostle lists, while Nathanael, whose call is explicitly described by John, does not figure in them.

According to tradition, Bartholomew served as a missionary to India, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia (in what is now Iran), Lycaonia (in what is now Turkey), and Armenia. The apostle is said to have been martyred by flaying and beheading at the command of the Armenian king Astyages.

The Feast Day

The Feast of Saint Bartholomew, also known as Saint Bartholomew's Day, is a Christian liturgical celebration of Bartholomew the Apostle which occurs yearly on August 24 of the liturgical calendars of the Anglican Church.

The feast reflects on Saint Bartholomew's contributions to the early Christian Church and his unwavering faith and serves as a reminder of the early apostles' sacrifices and their foundational role in the Christian faith. It provides an opportunity for believers to reflect on the qualities of Saint Bartholomew and to seek inspiration from his example. His story underscores themes of faith, mission, and perseverance, which continue to resonate in Christian teachings and practice. The legacy of Saint Bartholomew and the significance of his feast day extend beyond the liturgical calendar, influencing Christian art, literature, and communal practices. The apostle's life and martyrdom continue to inspire devotion and reflection among Christians worldwide.