24 August is the Feast Day of St Bartholomew. Here’s all you need to know.
Bartholomew was one of the twelve disciples who followed Jesus after the Baptism in the Jordan River. He was originally from Cana in Galilee and is sometimes equated with a disciple John mentions in his gospel, Nathaniel.
The name Bartholomew comes from the Aramaic, "son of Tolmai" or "son of the furrows".
After the Ascension, it’s said he was a missionary in numerous places including Mesopotamia, Parthia, Lycaonia, Ethiopia, India and Armenia, the latter being the first state to become officially Christian in 301, allegedly as a direct result of Bartholomew’s missionary work. Hence he is a patron saint of Armenia.
One version of his story says he was executed in Armenia because he converted the local king, Polymius, to Christianity. Polymius's brother, Prince Astyages, ordered Bartholomew's torture and execution. However, there is no record of a king of Armenia at that time with the name Polymius.
One thing the records agree on is the manner of Bartholomew’s death – flayed and skinned alive. Hence in art, he is often portrayed holding his own Skin and often wrapping it around himself; and holding the knife that was used to skin him. He is a common feature in medieval manuscripts, rather appropriately, as these were often made from the flayed skin of animals.
Because of the way he died, he is patron of people who work with skin, such as Glove makers, bookbinders, butchers, leather workers, shoemakers, tanners and trappers. He’s also invoked against skin diseases.
In the early days of the study of human anatomy, pictures of Bartholomew could also serve as an anatomical diagram with muscles, veins and tendons accurately depicted where his skin had been removed.
The modern day artist Damian Hurst was inspired by him, too. His piece Exquisite Pain depicts Saint Bartholomew in accurate anatomical detail with his flayed skin draped over his right arm, a scalpel in one hand and a pair of scissors in the other. He’s holding scissors because the movie Edward Scissorhands was another inspiration for Hurst.
Saint Bartholomew’s fair, which took place in Smithfield, London around this time of year is named for him, as is St Bartholomew's Hospital, also known as Barts, a teaching hospital located in the City of London.
24 August isn’t the only day Bartholomew is celebrated. The Eastern Orthodox Church venerates him on 11 June. 25 August is a celebration of the transfer of Bartholomew's relics, and on 30 June he is venerated as one of the 12 Apostles.
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