Tradition holds that after the Ascension of Christ, the Apostle Bartholomew traveled to various lands to preach the Gospel and convert many to Christianity. He performed numerous miracles and faced great persecution for his faith, ultimately giving his life as a martyr for Christ. His relics were honored and venerated by many faithful Christians throughout the centuries.
Today, the Holy Apostle Bartholomew is remembered and celebrated as a great saint and martyr of the Christian faith. His life and ministry continue to inspire and encourage believers to stand firm in their faith and proclaim the message of salvation to all nations. May we, like the Apostle Bartholomew, be willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of Christ and His Kingdom.
Concerning his apostolic work, there are different accounts of where Saint Bartholomew preached. Some say he preached in Arabia, Persia, and especially in India, bringing the Gospel of Saint Matthew, which was originally written in Hebrew, to these regions. The Gospel was later found in India by Pantaenus, a former stoic philosopher who became a prominent teacher in Alexandria.
Other traditions suggest that Saint Bartholomew went to Armenia, where he is believed to have met a martyr’s death, either by crucifixion or by being flayed alive in Albanopolis (Urbanopolis). This corresponds to ancient Armenian traditions.
There is some confusion regarding the identity of Bartholomew and Nathanael. Some believe they are the same person, as Bartholomew is a patronymic meaning “son of Talmai,” while Nathanael could have been a surname. Others suggest that Simon the Zealot and Nathanael are the same, based on different accounts in the Synaxarion of the Menaion.
Source: vema.com.au