Bartholomew the Apostle

Bartholomew the Apostle was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ, a figure central to the early Christian narrative. While his presence among the Twelve is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and the Acts of the Apostles under the name Bartholomew, most contemporary scholars equate him with Nathanael, who is featured prominently in the Gospel of John.

Name and Identity

The name "Bartholomew" is derived from Imperial Aramaic, translating to "son of Tolmai" or "son of the furrows." The identification with Nathanael, whose name means "gift of God," suggests a dual identity or a deeper theological significance attributed to him.

Missionary Journeys and Traditions

Following the Ascension of Jesus, tradition posits that Bartholomew undertook extensive missionary work. Eusebius of Caesarea, an early church historian, states that Bartholomew traveled to India, leaving behind a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Other traditions extend his missionary field to include Mesopotamia, Parthia, Lycaonia, Ethiopia, and significantly, Greater Armenia.

Mission to India

Ancient testimonies from Eusebius of Caesarea and Saint Jerome support the tradition of Bartholomew's mission to India. However, the identification of this "India" has been debated, with some scholars suggesting it might refer to Ethiopia or Arabia Felix. Despite scholarly skepticism, some researchers believe the Bombay region on the Konkan coast was the focus of his activities.

Ministry in Armenia

Along with his fellow apostle Jude Thaddeus, Bartholomew is credited with bringing Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century. This evangelization is historically significant as Armenia later became the first state to officially embrace Christianity in 301 AD. Consequently, both apostles are revered as patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with Bartholomew sometimes regarded as its second Catholicos-Patriarch.

Martyrdom

Christian tradition offers several accounts of Bartholomew's death, most notably his martyrdom. One narrative describes him being beaten unconscious and cast into the sea. A more prevalent tradition, particularly in later hagiography and art, depicts him being flayed alive. In the Hellenic tradition, he was martyred in Albanopolis, Armenia, for converting King Polymius. Enraged, the king's brother, Prince Astyages, ordered Bartholomew's torture and execution. However, historical accuracy regarding the king's name is debated, with other accounts naming the king as Agrippa or Sanatruk.

Veneration and Relics

Bartholomew is venerated across various Christian denominations. The Armenian Apostolic Church honors him as a patron saint. The Eastern Orthodox Church observes his feast on June 11 and August 25. The Coptic Orthodox Church commemorates his martyrdom on September 11, while the Roman Catholic and Anglican Churches celebrate his feast day on August 24.

Relics attributed to Bartholomew are housed in several locations. In the 6th century, the Byzantine emperor Anastasius I Dicorus reportedly gave his body to Daras in Mesopotamia. Gregory of Tours explained the presence of relics in Lipari, Sicily, by suggesting his body had miraculously washed ashore. A significant portion of his relics, including skin and bones, was transferred from Lipari to Benevento in 838 and is still kept in the Basilica San Bartolomeo. Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, donated a portion to Rome in 983, where it is conserved at San Bartolomeo all'Isola.

Iconography and Patronage

Bartholomew is commonly depicted in art holding his flayed skin and the knife used for his martyrdom. This imagery is famously featured in Michelangelo's Last Judgment. His association with flaying has led to his patronage of trades involving skin and leather, such as tanners, leatherworkers, tailors, bookbinders, and glove makers. He is also associated with salt, oil, and cheese merchants.

Cultural Significance

The festival of Saint Bartholomew in August has historically been a time for markets and fairs, most notably the Bartholomew Fair in Smithfield, London, which inspired Ben Jonson's play of the same name. His story has also influenced artistic representations of the human body, serving as a model for anatomical studies, and has been interpreted in contemporary art to explore themes of the human form and its vulnerabilities.

In Islam

While the Qur'an does not name the disciples of Jesus, Muslim exegesis generally aligns with the New Testament list, including Bartholomew among them. Some traditions suggest Bartholomew (Ibn Talma) was sent to evangelize the Arab world.