Who was St. Bartholomew?
One of the Twelve Apostles. In Aramaic and Hebrew son (bar) of Tolomai. Often associated with Philip in Gospel lists of apostles, a 9th century tradition identified him with Nathanael. (Nathanael bar Tolmai). St. John’s Gospel 1:44-51 refers to Nathaniel as the counterpart to Philip and St. Matthew’s Gospel 10:3. The Gospels contain no report of acts by Bartholomew, but later tradition says Bartholomew is visited “India” (a term which was used rather loosely to cover regions east of Suez) during the reign of Commodusas Roman Emperor (180-192). Other tradition has it that Bartholomew was martyred by being flayed alive. Thus the scimitar or knife is his symbol, depicted in stone, wood, paint, etc. in many places in the present church. Bartholomew is claimed as the patron Saint of Armenia, the traditional site of his martyrdom; and of cheese merchants, tanners and plasterers.