The Feast of St Bartholomew

Bartholomew the Apostle
St Bartholomew, a doctor in the Jewish law, was a dear friend of St. Philip the Apostle. Because Bartholomew was a man "in whom there was no guile," his mind was open to the truth. He went willingly with Philip to see Christ, and recognised the Saviour immediately as the Son of God. After having received the gifts of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost, Bartholomew evangelized Asia Minor, north western India, and Greater Armenia. In the latter country, while preaching to idolaters, he was arrested and condemned to death. 

In John's Gospel, Bartholomew is known by the name Nathaniel (although this is widely debated). He hailed from Cana in Galilee, was one of the first disciples called by the Lord. On their initial meeting Jesus uttered the compliment: "Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom there is no guile!" After the Resurrection he was favoured by becoming one of the few apostles who witnessed the appearance of the risen Saviour on the sea of Galilee (John 21:2). Following the Ascension he is said to have preached in Greater Armenia and to have been martyred there. While still alive, his skin was torn from his body. The Armenians honor him as the apostle of their nation.
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