Today, the Church remembers St. Bartholomew, Apostle.
Ora pro nobis.
Bartholomew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus from ancient Judea. He has often been identified with Nathanael or Nathaniel, who appears in the Gospel of John as being introduced to Jesus by Philip (who would also become an apostle), Jesus saying, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit” [Jn 1:43-51]. Bartholomew is listed among the Twelve Apostles of Jesus in the three synoptic gospels: Matthew,[10:1–4] Mark,[3:13–19] and Luke,[6:12–16] and also appears as one of the witnesses of the Ascension of Jesus [Acts 1:4,12,13]; on each occasion, he is named in the company of Philip.
Eusebius of Caesarea's Ecclesiastical History (5:10) states that after the Ascension, Bartholomew went on a missionary tour to India, where he left behind a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. Other traditions record him as serving as a missionary in Ethiopia, Mesopotamia, Parthia, and Lycaonia. Popular traditions and legends say that Bartholomew preached the Gospel in India, then went to Greater Armenia
Two ancient testimonies exist about the mission of Saint Bartholomew in India. These are of Eusebius of Caesarea (early 4th century AD) and of Saint Jerome (late 4th century AD). Both of these refer to this tradition while speaking of the reported visit of Pantaenus to India in the 2nd century AD. The studies of Fr A.C. Perumalil SJ and Moraes hold that the Bombay region on the Konkan coast, a region which may have been known as the ancient city Kalyan, was the field of Saint Bartholomew's missionary activities. Another unofficial book entitled 'Martyrdom of Bartholomew' says that he was martyred in India. In these texts, two kings named Polyamus and Astriyagis has been described. Circa AD 55 the king named Pulaimi ruled near Kalyan, who in Latin language is called as Polyamus and King Aristakarman, who succeeded Pulaimi, might have a Latin name of Astriyais. According to the texts, on king's command, Bartholomew was killed by beheading. It is also argued that the saint was flayed alive and hanged upside down. He is believed to have been killed there on August 24. He was only 50 years old.
Along with his fellow apostle Jude "Thaddeus", Bartholomew is reputed to have brought Christianity to Armenia in the 1st century AD. Thus, both saints are considered the patron saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
According to this tradition, the Apostle Bartholomew was executed in Albanopolis in Armenia. According to a popular hagiography, the apostle was flayed alive and beheaded. According to other accounts he was crucified upside down (head downward) like St. Peter. He is said to have been martyred for having converted Polymius, the king of Armenia, to Christianity. Enraged by the monarch’s conversion, and fearing a Roman backlash, king Polymius’s brother, prince Astyages, ordered Bartholomew’s torture and execution, which Bartholomew courageously endured.
However, there are no records of any Armenian King of the Arsacid dynasty of Armenia with the name Polymius. Current scholarship agrees that while he may have been an early part of the mission to Armenia, Bartholomew died in Kalyan in India, where there was an official named Polymius.
Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
