Nathaniel or Not

While most of the tradition holds that Nathaniel and Bartholomew are the same person, there are some who doubt it. It does make sense. Bartholomew is after all what is called a “patronymic.” A patronymic is a device used in many cultures to identify the father. In Russia, a person’s second name is traditionally a patronymic (ex. Ivanovich, son of Ivan).  In Scandinavia the suffix son is used, the son of Peter is Peterson. In Iceland, the patronymic is used as the last name. And so it would be perfectly sensible if he we Nathaniel Bartholomew, the son of Tolomei.

He is throughout the scriptures the one who travels with Philip. He is the one in whom there is no duplicity (or guile).Most famously he is said to have died by being flayed, and in artwork is often depicted holding him own skin which has been peeled off and sometimes holding the knife. Perhaps the most famous depiction is in The Last Judgment on the wall of the Sistine Chapel. There he holds his skin in his left hand and the knife in his right.  The face on the skin is Michelangelo himself. St. Bartholomew is not suffering, but strong and vigorous. 

He is revered for having taken the gospel to modern-day Armenia and India. Beyond this little is known of his life. 

Today the Church prays that we may cling to Christ with the same sincerity of heart as St. Bartholomew who was privileged to be one of the 12..