Saint Barnabas
Stored in Cargo: Saint Barnabas
| Saint Barnabas | |
| Feast Day | June 11 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Cyprus, Antioch, weavers, hailstorm protection |
| Birthplace | Cyprus, Roman Empire |
| Death Place | Salamis, Cyprus, Roman Empire |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom, stoning or burning |
| Primary Shrine | Monastery of Saint Barnabas, Salamis, Cyprus |
Saint Barnabas (AD 10 – AD 61), originally named Joseph, was a saint, early Christian missionary, and apostle, renowned as the “Son of Encouragement” (*Acts 4:36*). Born in Cyprus to a Jewish Levite family, he sold his land to support the Jerusalem Church (*Acts 4:37*). A companion of Saint Paul the Apostle, he introduced Paul to the apostles (*Acts 9:27*) and joined his first missionary journey (AD 46–48) to Cyprus and Asia Minor, spreading Christianity among Gentiles. Named an apostle (*Acts 14:14*), he attended the Council of Jerusalem (AD 49), advocating for Gentile inclusion (*Acts 15:12*). After parting with Paul over John Mark (*Acts 15:36–39*), he mentored Mark in Cyprus, where he was martyred by stoning or burning in AD 61. Canonized pre-Congregation, his feast day is June 11 in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. He is patron of Cyprus, Antioch, weavers, and hailstorm protection.[1][2]
His relics, discovered in AD 488 with a Gospel of Matthew, are venerated at the Monastery of Saint Barnabas, Salamis, Cyprus. Barnabas’s generosity and missionary work, alongside Saint Titus and Saint Timothy, strengthened early Christianity, complementing the broader efforts of Saint James of Nisibis. The *Epistle of Barnabas*, though not authored by him, reflects his influence on early theology.[3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint Barnabas was born around AD 10 in Cyprus, likely Salamis, to a Jewish Levite family. Originally named Joseph, he was renamed Barnabas (“Son of Encouragement”) by the apostles for his generosity (*Acts 4:36*).[1][5]
Early Life
Raised in a devout Jewish family, Barnabas likely studied in Jerusalem, possibly with Gamaliel, like Saint Paul the Apostle. A wealthy landowner, he sold his property to aid the early Church (*Acts 4:37*), joining the Jerusalem community before Paul’s conversion (AD 33–36). He vouched for Paul’s sincerity (*Acts 9:27*), bridging him with the apostles.[2][6]
Occupation
Barnabas was an apostle, missionary, and Levite. He accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey (AD 46–48), preaching in Cyprus, Perga, and Antioch of Pisidia (*Acts 13–14*). Named an apostle after miracles in Lystra (*Acts 14:14*), he co-founded the Antioch Church. At the Council of Jerusalem (AD 49), he defended Gentile freedom from Mosaic Law (*Acts 15:12*). Later, he mentored John Mark in Cyprus (*Acts 15:39*).[1][3]
Vocation
Barnabas’s vocation was evangelizing Gentiles and fostering Church unity. His encouragement of Paul and Mark shaped their ministries, akin to Saint Titus’s and Saint Timothy’s roles. His advocacy at the Council of Jerusalem (AD 49) ensured Gentile inclusion, echoing Saint James of Nisibis’s missionary outreach. His generosity and miracles, like healings in Lystra (*Acts 14:8–10*), authenticated his apostleship. Tradition credits him with writing the *Epistle of Barnabas*, though scholars attribute it to a later author.[4][7]
Death
Barnabas was martyred in Salamis, Cyprus, in AD 61, by stoning or burning during a Jewish riot, aged around 51. Tradition holds he was tied in a sack and thrown into the sea. His tomb, revealed in a AD 488 vision with a Gospel of Matthew, is at the Monastery of Saint Barnabas.[1][5]
Significant events
- Joined Jerusalem Church, AD 30–33.
- Introduced Paul to apostles, AD 33–36.
- First missionary journey with Paul, AD 46–48.
- Attended Council of Jerusalem, AD 49.
- Mentored John Mark in Cyprus, AD 50–61.
- Martyred in Salamis, AD 61.[1][2]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
| Saint Barnabas |
|---|
|
No results |
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Canonization
Servant of God
Barnabas’s recognition as a Servant of God began post-martyrdom, with veneration in Cyprus and Antioch, evidenced by early church dedications by the 2nd century.[2]
Venerable
No formal Venerable declaration was recorded, as his sainthood predates modern processes. His cult grew through relic veneration in Salamis.[1]
Beatification
No distinct beatification occurred, as his apostolic role and martyrdom ensured early veneration.[4]
Canonization
Barnabas was canonized pre-Congregation, with no recorded date or canonizer. His feast is June 11 in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, reflecting his martyrdom.[1][3]
Miracles
No specific miracles are directly attributed to Barnabas for canonization, as his missionary work and martyrdom sufficed. His healing of a lame man in Lystra with Paul (*Acts 14:8–10*) was seen as providential.[6]
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was formally documented, as his veneration predates modern processes.[2]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required, per early Church norms for apostles.[4]
Other notable miracles
- Healing in Lystra with Paul (*Acts 14:8–10*), AD 46.
- Tomb discovery with Gospel, AD 488.[7]
Patronage
Saint Barnabas is patron of Cyprus (his homeland), Antioch (his mission field), weavers (linked to Levite textile traditions), and hailstorm protection (per Cypriot devotion).[8]
Feast day
His feast day is June 11 in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, commemorating his martyrdom.[1][7]
Veneration
Barnabas is venerated across Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran traditions. Pilgrimages to the Monastery of Saint Barnabas, Salamis, Cyprus, honor his relics. His image, with an olive branch or Gospel book, adorns churches like Saint Barnabas Monastery and Saint Barnabas Church in London. Feast day liturgies feature *Acts 13–15*, highlighting his missionary zeal. His encouragement of Paul, Titus, and Timothy aligns with Saint James of Nisibis’s early Christian legacy.[4][9]
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[2]
- Paul: His Story by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor[1]
- The Book of Acts by F.F. Bruce[1]
Written by the saint
- None attributed; the *Epistle of Barnabas* is not considered his work.[2]
External links
- Saint Barnabas at CatholicSaints.Info
- St. Barnabas at Catholic Online
- St. Barnabas in the Catholic Encyclopedia
- Saint Barnabas at Wikipedia
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Saint Barnabas". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnabas.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "St. Barnabas". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02300a.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Saint Barnabas". Franciscan Media. 2024-06-11. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-barnabas.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Barnabas". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-barnabas/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "St. Barnabas". Catholic News Agency. 2024-06-11. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-barnabas-487.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Barnabas". Eternal Word Television Network. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/barnabas-1217. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "web12" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "St. Barnabas". Vatican News. 2024-06-11. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/06/11/st--barnabas.html.
- ↑ "Saint Barnabas". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=97.
- ↑ "Monastery of Saint Barnabas". Cyprus Island. https://www.cyprusisland.net/churches/monastery-saint-barnabas.