Bartholomew the Apostle

Saint Bartholomew, one of the Twelve Apostles, is widely identified with Nathanael, mentioned in the Gospel of John. Hailing from Cana in Galilee, he was introduced to Jesus by Philip. Jesus praised him, saying: "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" (John 1:47). After Pentecost, tradition holds that he preached the Gospel in India, Mesopotamia, Parthia, Armenia, and Phrygia. He is especially venerated in Armenia, where he is believed to have suffered martyrdom. The most widespread tradition asserts that he was flayed alive and then beheaded in Albanopolis (modern-day Derbent, Dagestan) or Urbanopolis, during the reign of King Astyages. His relics are said to have been transferred to Rome, to the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on the Island.