St. Barthlomew

Inside Paintings - South Wall

St. Barthlomew

1. Call to Discipleship

Biblical Reference: John 1:45-51

Description: Bartholomew is traditionally identified with Nathanael, whom Jesus called to be a disciple. Philip found Nathanael and told him about Jesus of Nazareth. Initially skeptical, Nathanael was impressed when Jesus revealed his knowledge of Nathanael’s earlier actions, leading to Nathanael’s declaration, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.” This encounter marks Bartholomew’s first recognition of Jesus and his commitment to follow Him.

Historical Reference: Early Christian traditions and writings, including the writings of Eusebius and other early church historians

Description: According to tradition, Bartholomew travelled to India to preach the Gospel. He is credited with bringing Christianity to the region, leaving behind a Hebrew version of the Gospel of Matthew. His missionary efforts in India laid the foundation for the Christian communities that would later develop in the region.

Historical Reference: Early Christian traditions and writings

 Description: Bartholomew also evangelized in Armenia, where he performed many miracles. One notable miracle involved healing the king’s daughter, who was possessed by an evil spirit. This miraculous healing led to the conversion of the king and many of his subjects. Bartholomew’s miracles and preaching significantly contributed to the spread of Christianity in Armenia.

Description: During the construction of a Church, the builders faced significant challenges due to the rocky and uneven terrain. They struggled to level the ground and make it suitable for building. According to the tradition, St. Bartholomew prayed fervently for divine assistance. His deep faith and dedication were evident in his prayers, as he sought help from God to overcome the obstacles hindering the construction of the Church. In response to St. Bartholomew’s prayers, a miraculous event occurred. It is said that the ground miraculously leveled itself, making it possible for the builders to continue their work without further difficulty. This event was seen as a clear sign of divine intervention, affirming the sanctity and divine approval of the abbey’s construction.

Description: Bartholomew’s unwavering faith and success in converting people to Christianity eventually led to his martyrdom. According to tradition, he was martyred in Albanopolis (modern-day Derbent, Azerbaijan, or possibly a location in Armenia). He was flayed alive and then beheaded on the orders of King Astyages, who was angered by Bartholomew’s influence and the conversion of many of his people.

Description: While preaching in Albanopolis (a location that is sometimes identified with modern-day Derbent, Azerbaijan, or other regions in Armenia), St. Bartholomew encountered a man who had been blind from birth. The man’s condition was well-known in the community, and many people had witnessed his suffering over the years. Moved by the man’s plight and his faith, St. Bartholomew prayed over him. He laid his hands on the blind man’s eyes and invoked the name of Jesus Christ, asking for his sight to be restored.