Ethan Walker
Saint Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, who is believed to have been martyred in Armenia in the 1st century AD. There are several accounts of his death, with some sources claiming that he was crucified and killed by pagans, while others suggest that he was beaten unconscious, drowned, or flayed and beheaded at the command of the Armenian king Astyages. Saint Bartholomew is celebrated by various Christian denominations, including the Catholic Church, which honours him as a patron saint and commemorates his martyrdom on August 24.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | Unknown date in the 1st century AD |
| Place of Death | Albanopolis, Armenia (now Baku, Azerbaijan) |
| Cause of Death | Flaying and beheading |
| Responsible for Death | King Astyages of Armenia |
| Reason for Death | Converting the king to Christianity |
| Associated Figures | Apostles Philip and Mariamne, Saint Joseph, Saint Jude |
| Feast Day | August 24 |
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What You'll Learn
Bartholomew's martyrdom in Armenia
Bartholomew the Apostle, also known as Nathanael or Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He is believed to have been a close friend of Christ and is credited with performing miracles related to the weight of objects.
Bartholomew is said to have been martyred in Armenia in the 1st century AD. According to tradition, he brought Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century, alongside his fellow apostle Jude "Thaddeus". As a result, in 301, Armenia became the first state to officially embrace Christianity.
There are various accounts of Bartholomew's martyrdom in Armenia. One tradition holds that he was crucified upside down and then flayed and beheaded in Albanopolis (modern-day Baku) by order of King Astyages or Astiagus, the brother of King Polymius or Polymios. Bartholomew had converted Polymius to Christianity, and Astyages feared a Roman backlash, leading him to order Bartholomew's execution.
Another tradition claims that Bartholomew was martyred in Vaspurakan, Greater Armenia (now in southeastern Turkey). Azerbaijani Christians hold this view and believe that he was crucified and killed by pagans around 71 AD in the area near the Maiden Tower.
Bartholomew's relics were reportedly taken to various places, including the Church of St. Bartholomew-in-the-Tiber in Rome, Mesopotamia (specifically the city of Dara), and the shores of the Black Sea, where they were taken by Christians fleeing the Persians. Some of his relics were also said to have been transferred to a monastery near Constantinople and to Rome, where they are conserved at San Bartolomeo all'Isola.
The martyrdom of Bartholomew is commemorated by various Christian traditions. The Eastern Orthodox Church venerates him on June 11, August 25, and June 30. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria commemorates his martyrdom on the first day of the Coptic calendar (currently September 11). The Catholic Church celebrates his feast day on August 24, along with the Church of England, which holds a festival on this date.
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The transfer of Bartholomew's relics
The relics of St. Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael, are among the Catholic Church's most valuable treasures. The relics of the saint, who is known to have been one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, include his bones, skin, and fragments of his clothing.
The transfer of St. Bartholomew's relics occurred at the end of the sixth century. Under Emperor Anastasius (491-518), the relics were transferred to the newly constructed city of Anastasiopolis (or Dura). They remained there until the end of the sixth century when the city was captured by the Persian Emperor Chozroes. Christians fled with the chest containing the relics to the shores of the Black Sea, where pagan priests threw the chest into the sea. However, the relics miraculously washed up on the small island of Lipari, off the coast of Sicily.
Bishop Agathon of Lipari recovered the chest from the sea and transferred it to the church on the island, where it remained until the middle of the ninth century when pagans captured the island. In 838, the relics were transferred to Benevento, near Naples, by Christian merchants, and they are still kept in the Basilica of San Bartolomeo.
A portion of the relics was given to Rome in 983 by Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, and they are conserved at San Bartolomeo all'Isola, founded on the site of the temple of Asclepius, a former important Roman medical centre. Bartholomew's name became associated with hospitals over time due to this connection with medicine.
Additionally, a part of Bartholomew's alleged skull was transferred to Frankfurt Cathedral, and an arm relic is venerated in the treasury of the Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht, along with relics of Saint Andrew.
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Bartholomew's missionary work
Bartholomew the Apostle, also known as Nathanael, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is believed to have been born in Cana of Galilee and was a doctor of Jewish law. He is remembered for his missionary work, spreading the teachings of Jesus, and for his willingness to die for his faith.
After Jesus ascended into Heaven, Bartholomew continued his missionary work. According to Eusebius of Caesarea's Ecclesiastical History, Bartholomew went on a missionary tour to India, where he left behind a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. This copy was later found by St. Pantaenus of Alexandria. Other accounts suggest that Bartholomew also served as a missionary in Mesopotamia, Parthia (modern-day Iran), Lycaonia (modern-day Turkey), Ethiopia, Egypt, Armenia, Persia, and Greater Armenia.
Bartholomew is also reputed to have brought Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century, along with his fellow apostle Jude "Thaddeus". As a result, in 301 CE, the Armenian kingdom became the first state in history to officially embrace Christianity. Azerbaijani Christians also hold that Bartholomew was the first to bring Christianity to the region of modern-day Azerbaijan.
Bartholomew is commemorated in the liturgical calendar of the Western Church and is honoured in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion, and Lutheran Church. His feast day is celebrated on August 24, and he is venerated on June 11 in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
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The celebration of Bartholomew
Saint Bartholomew, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, is celebrated for his holiness, faith, and role in the Church's foundation. He is also known as "Nathaniel of Cana in Galilee" and was likely of Hebrew descent. Bartholomew is credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century, and as a result, in 301, Armenia became the first state to officially embrace Christianity.
Bartholomew's martyrdom is commemorated on various days depending on the church. The Eastern Orthodox Church venerates him on June 11 and August 25, and he is also venerated as one of the twelve apostles on June 30. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria commemorates his martyrdom on the first day of the Coptic calendar, currently September 11. The Church of England remembers Bartholomew with a Festival on August 24, which is also the Western feast day.
The celebration of Saint Bartholomew often involves honouring him as a patron saint and apostle, as well as recognising his role in bringing Christianity to different regions. In Armenian tradition, Bartholomew is revered for establishing Christianity alongside Saint Jude, before being martyred. Azerbaijani Christians also hold that Bartholomew brought Christianity to modern-day Azerbaijan and believe he was crucified and killed by pagans near the Maiden Tower in Baku around 71 AD.
The relics of Saint Bartholomew are also significant in his veneration. According to tradition, Bartholomew's relics were taken to various places, including Rome, Mesopotamia, and Lipari, a small island off the coast of Sicily. A portion of these relics was given to Rome by Holy Roman Emperor Otto II in 983, and they are now conserved at San Bartolomeo all'Isola.
The life and martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew continue to be commemorated and celebrated by various Christian denominations, honouring his role as one of the Twelve Apostles and his contribution to the spread of Christianity.
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Bartholomew's association with Nathanael
The New Testament mentions Bartholomew, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, in four Apostle lists: Mark 3:18, Matt. 10:3, Luke 6:14, and Acts 1:13. However, nothing else is known about him. The name Bartholomew (Greek: Βαρθολομαῖος, transliterated "Bartholomaios") comes from the Imperial Aramaic: בר-תולמי bar-Tolmay "son of Tolmai" or "son of the furrows".
Nathanael, on the other hand, is mentioned in the Gospel of John (1:45–51; cf. 21:2) and is listed among the Apostles. He is described as a Galilean, initially sceptical about the idea of a Messiah from Nazareth, asking, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?". After meeting Jesus, Nathanael recognised him as the Son of God and the King of Israel. Jesus described him as "a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceit".
Bartholomew is always listed after Philip in the Apostle lists, and Nathanael is brought to Jesus by Philip, suggesting that the two may have been friends. Furthermore, Nathanael's presence with other disciples at the Sea of Galilee after Jesus' resurrection indicates that he was one of the original twelve apostles.
Through the centuries, Bible scholars have identified Bartholomew and Nathanael as the same person. This identification sought to explain how the otherwise unknown Bartholomew could be mentioned in the Apostle lists, while Nathanael, whose call is described by John, does not figure in them. The Gospel of John does not mention Bartholomew at all, and Nathanael is listed instead.
Nathanael is believed to have died a martyr's death for Christ, although the manner of his death is not recorded in the Bible. Similarly, there is no biblical record of Bartholomew's death, but tradition holds that he died a martyr's death. One tradition claims that he was tied up in a sack and dropped into the sea, while another suggests that he was crucified.
Saint Bartholomew is often depicted in art being flayed alive, and his relics are said to have been taken to the Church of St. Bartholomew-in-the-Tiber in Rome.
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Frequently asked questions
Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Bartholomew was martyred in Armenia in the 1st century AD. He was either crucified, beaten unconscious and drowned, or flayed and beheaded.
The Catholic Church venerates Bartholomew as a saint and martyr, celebrating his feast day on August 24 or 25.
Bartholomew's relics were supposedly taken to the Church of St. Bartholomew-in-the-Tiber in Rome. Some of his skin and bones are now kept in the Basilica San Bartolomeo in Benevento, Italy.
Bartholomew is known for his holiness, faith, and role in the foundation of the Church. He is also credited with performing miracles related to the weight of objects.
