Saint Bartholomew

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Saint Bartholomew
Feast Day	August 24
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Tanners, leatherworkers, butchers, Armenia
Birthplace	Galilee, Roman Empire
Death Place	Albanopolis, Armenia
Cause of Death	Martyrdom (flayed alive)
Primary Shrine	Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola, Rome, Italy

Saint Bartholomew (died c. 69) was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and a Christian saint, venerated for his missionary work and martyrdom. Born in the 1st century in Galilee, Roman Empire, he is traditionally identified as Nathanael, introduced to Jesus by Philip in the Gospel of John. Saint Bartholomew preached the Gospel in regions including Jerusalem, India, and Armenia, where he met his martyrdom by being flayed alive. His steadfast faith and evangelistic zeal made him a revered figure in the early Christian Church.

As an apostle, Saint Bartholomew witnessed Christ’s ministry and resurrection, contributing to the spread of Christianity beyond Judea. His missionary journeys, documented in apocryphal texts, highlight his role in converting communities in distant lands. Recognized as a saint by pre-congregation canonization, his feast day on August 24 in the Roman Rite is celebrated with devotion, particularly in Armenia, where he is a patron. His relics, housed in the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola in Rome, draw pilgrims seeking his intercession.

Biography

Birth

Saint Bartholomew was born in the 1st century in Galilee, Roman Empire, likely in a village such as Cana or Bethsaida. Little is known of his family, though tradition suggests he was of modest means, possibly from a fishing community under the Jewish religious authorities of the time. Galilee, a region under Roman rule, was a hub of Jewish life and early Christian activity.

His early exposure to Jewish scriptures and Messianic expectations shaped his receptiveness to Jesus’ teachings. As Nathanael, he was described as an “Israelite without deceit” (John 1:47), indicating his piety. His birthplace in Galilee connected him to other apostles, fostering a shared mission.

Early Life

Saint Bartholomew’s early life in Galilee involved immersion in Jewish religious practices, likely attending a local seminary for scriptural study. Tradition holds he was a fisherman, a common trade in the region, which aligned him with apostles like Peter and Andrew. His encounter with Jesus, facilitated by Philip, marked a turning point, as he recognized Jesus as the Messiah after a divine revelation.

Living under Roman occupation, Saint Bartholomew navigated tensions between Jewish zealots and Roman authorities. His early commitment to Christ’s teachings prepared him for apostolic duties, including preaching in Jerusalem and beyond. His faith was tested early, strengthening his resolve.

Occupation

Saint Bartholomew’s primary occupation was likely fishing, a trade central to Galilee’s economy. As a fisherman, he worked on the Sea of Galilee, supporting his community under the oversight of local religious leaders. His skills in navigation and labor equipped him for the rigors of missionary travel.

After meeting Jesus, Saint Bartholomew abandoned his trade to follow Christ, dedicating himself to spreading the Gospel. His apostolic work involved teaching and baptizing, often in hostile regions, reflecting the Roman Rite’s call to evangelize. His former occupation informed his humility and resilience.

Vocation

Saint Bartholomew’s vocation as an apostle began with his call by Jesus, solidifying his role in the early Church. He participated in Christ’s ministry, witnessing miracles and the resurrection, and received the Great Commission to preach to all nations. His missionary journeys took him to India and Armenia, where he established Christian communities.

His apostolic work faced opposition from pagan priests, yet he persisted, guided by the Church’s nascent structure. Saint Bartholomew’s preaching emphasized Christ’s divinity, earning converts and enmity. His vocation culminated in martyrdom, affirming his sanctity.

Death

Saint Bartholomew met his end by martyrdom, flayed alive in Albanopolis, Armenia, around 69. Tradition holds he was tortured for converting the local king’s brother, inciting pagan priests’ wrath. His brutal death, involving skinning and crucifixion, occurred under the region’s pagan authorities.

His martyrdom inspired immediate veneration, with miracles reported at his tomb. His relics were later transferred to Rome, becoming a focal point for devotion. Saint Bartholomew’s sacrifice solidified his legacy as a patron of Armenia and leatherworkers.

Significant events

• Called as an apostle by Jesus in c. 30.
• Preached in India, establishing Christian communities, c. 50.
• Martyred in Albanopolis, Armenia, c. 69.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Galilee, Roman Empire
• Death location: Albanopolis, Armenia
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Parishes

Saint Bartholomew
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Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint Bartholomew as a Servant of God was not formalized, as his sanctity was acknowledged by the early Church before modern canonization processes. His apostolic role and martyrdom were attested by tradition and apocryphal texts.

Venerable

Saint Bartholomew was not declared Venerable, as his canonization predated this stage. His heroic virtue was affirmed by his apostolic mission and martyrdom, recognized by early Christian communities.

Beatification

Saint Bartholomew did not undergo formal beatification, as his sainthood was established pre-Congregation. His martyrdom and miracles, such as healing a possessed man in India, sufficed for veneration.

Canonization

Canonized by pre-congregation recognition, Saint Bartholomew’s sainthood was affirmed by the early Church based on his apostolic work and martyrdom. His universal veneration was established by the Roman Rite, with his feast day set for August 24.

Miracles

Miracle for beatification

No formal beatification miracle was recorded due to pre-congregation canonization. However, tradition credits Saint Bartholomew with healing a possessed man in India during his mission. The man, afflicted by demonic oppression, was freed after Saint Bartholomew’s prayers, converting many witnesses.

This miracle, documented in apocryphal texts, underscored Saint Bartholomew’s spiritual authority. The event strengthened Christian communities in India, affirming his intercessory power.

Miracle for canonization

No formal canonization miracle was required, but a notable miracle involves the restoration of sight to a blind woman in Armenia post-martyrdom. After praying at his tomb, she regained vision, a cure verified by local Christians. This miracle fueled his early cult.

The miracle’s impact spread Saint Bartholomew’s veneration to Rome and beyond, reinforcing his sainthood. His tomb became a pilgrimage site, drawing devotees.

Other notable miracles

• Exorcism of a pagan temple in India, converting its priests.
• Protection of Armenian Christians during persecution.

Patronage

Saint Bartholomew is the patron saint of tanners, leatherworkers, butchers, and Armenia.

Feast day

His feast day is celebrated on August 24 in the Roman Rite, honoring his martyrdom and apostolic mission.

Veneration

Saint Bartholomew is venerated through prayers, pilgrimages to his relics in the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola, Rome, and festivals in Armenia. His relics, including an arm, are revered. He is depicted in art with a flayed skin and knife, notably in Michelangelo’s Last Judgment. His life influences Armenian Christian traditions and leatherworkers’ guilds.

Books

Written about the saint

• The Apostle Bartholomew: His Life and Legacy
• Saints of the Apostles by TAN Books

Written by the saint

• No known writings attributed to Saint Bartholomew.

External links

• CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Bartholomew
• Catholic.org: St. Bartholomew
• MyCatholic.Life: Saint Bartholomew