Holy Apostle Bartholomew
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(Greek: Βαρθολομαιος, Aramaic: bar-Talmai, meaning: son of Ptolemy)
According to some historians of the Church, he is considered the same person as Nathanael, whom the Apostle Philip called to show him the Messiah, Christ. God gave him authority to heal diseases and perform miracles in His name.
His activity is closely related to the Holy Apostle Philip and they often preached together. At the beginning of their independent activity, when they preached separately in the cities of Asia Minor, Philip was in a difficult period and went through many sufferings and trials. Saint Bartholomew felt this and received a revelation to go and help him. Saint Bartholomew obeyed the inner voice and left immediately. From then on they did not part until Philip’s death. They both shared together all the work and effort, all the dangers, but also all the joyful moments. They were also accompanied by Philip’s sister, Mariamne. Together, they diligently worked and preached the Word of God whilst patiently enduring persecution and suffering.
Holy Apostle Bartholomew preached the Gospel, as did the Holy Apostle Philip, in the eastern part of the empire – Phrygia, Syria, Asia Minor and Armenia.
In a Lydian settlement they met the beloved disciple of Christ, Saint John the Theologian, and together they went with him to the country of Phrygia. They entered the city of Hieropolis and preached Christ there, whereas Saint John continued on his journey.
Saint Philip was the first of the two of them, to suffer martyrdom. A little later, the Apostle Bartholomew was also crucified upside down, in the same place as Saint Philip. They killed him in a most brutal manner, peeling off all his skin and finally cutting off his head with a sword. The Christians took down the body of the Apostle from the cross and placed it in a coffin made of lead.
The relics of Saint Bartholomew were later transferred to the Neapolitan city of Benevento, and then to Rome. He is celebrated on June 11.
Prepared by Fr. Gavril Galev
Abbott of the Monastery “Saint Clement of Ohrid”
Kinglake, Melbourne, Australia
07 / 09 / 2023
