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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
First century–c. 69/71 A.D.
Patron Saint of Armenia, bookbinders, butchers, leather workers, and those suffering from skin diseases, and nervous disorders
St. Bartholomew was chosen by Jesus as one of His Twelve Apostles. Traditionally, he is identified with Nathanael, whose encounter with Christ is recorded in the Gospel of John. The New Testament reveals little about his life, but tradition records his faithful response to Christ and his later missionary work that contributed to the rapid growth of the early Church.
The name Bartholomew means “son of Tolmai” and refers to a family designation rather than a personal name. For this reason, many Christian scholars have long identified him with Nathanael, the disciple introduced to Jesus by the Apostle Philip.
When Philip told Nathanael that he had found the Messiah, Nathanael initially questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth. Yet after meeting him, Jesus praised Nathanael as “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile” (John 1:47). Moved by this encounter, Nathanael immediately professed his faith in Jesus, calling Him the “Son of God and King of Israel.”
Following Christ’s Resurrection and Ascension, St. Bartholomew shared in the mission entrusted to the Apostles. Ancient traditions describe him preaching the Gospel across vast regions of the ancient world. While the details differ among sources, Armenia is most frequently associated with his missionary labors, and he is honored there as one of the founders of the Christian Faith.
The Apostle’s missionary work eventually led to persecution and ultimate martyrdom, which some accounts say was death on a cross. Early Church historians attest to the sufferings he endured for the sake of Christ. The Church honors him as a faithful witness who remained steadfast in his witness to the Gospel.
The three Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, list Bartholomew among the Twelve Apostles, but they do not mention Nathanael. In John’s Gospel, he mentions Nathanael but does not include Bartholomew among the named Apostles. Since Bartholomew is frequently listed alongside Philip in the Synoptic Gospels, and Nathanael is introduced through Philip in John’s Gospel, many early Christian writers concluded they were the same person. While the New Testament does not explicitly state this identification, it has become a longstanding tradition within the Church.
The New Testament does not record Bartholomew’s activities after Pentecost, but ancient Christian traditions preserve accounts of his missionary work. Diverse sources place him in Mesopotamia, Persia, India, and especially Armenia. Armenian Christians have long venerated him as one of the Apostles who first brought the Gospel to their land. Although historians cannot verify every detail of these traditions, they reflect the widespread belief that Bartholomew traveled extensively to proclaim Christ beyond the Roman Empire’s boundaries.
In Christian art, St. Bartholomew is often shown holding a book or a knife. The book symbolizes his role as an Apostle who preached the Gospel, while the knife recalls the traditional account of his martyrdom. One of the most famous depictions appears in the fresco by Michelangelo titled The Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel. Art tells a story, and in this depiction, he is portrayed holding his skin, a reference to the ancient tradition that he was flayed during his martyrdom. This powerful image speaks of the courage and fidelity to Christ of those whom He chose to continue His ministry.
Christ has commanded us to love Him above all else and to love others as we love ourselves (see Mark 12:29-31). Because we are sinful people, striving for virtue, keeping these commands may prove to be more difficult than expected.
Our eBook Embracing Christ in Others reflects on what we can learn from Nathanael’s response when he was going to encounter Christ for the first time and said: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). You’ll also find examples of how we can learn to grow in the virtue of charity and love as Christ does.
We hope you enjoy this resource and are inspired by it to embrace Christ in others, especially when it seems most difficult.
Get the free eBook below:
A look at the Church of Armenia, which was brought there by the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew. Since then, Christianity in Armenia has endured great suffering yet has preserved the people’s identity and cultural heritage.
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As we deepen our relationship with the Eternal Word, Jesus Christ, we grow in grace and are transformed by His love and mercy.
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