St. Bartholomew, Apostle

One of the twelve apostles. His name appears only in the listings of the Twelve in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts. Many believe he is the Nathanael mentioned in John. Tradition, based on the writings of Jerome and Eusebius, says that Bartholomew wrote a gospel, preached to the people of India, and died a martyr. Hippolytus claims that he was flayed (skinned) alive, then crucified, and finally decapitated for his Christian belief. Bartholomew is commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on August 24.