Tuesday, August 24, 2004

Bart Simpson's patron saint is remembered today.

Nathaniel bar Tholmai (son of Talmai), also known as Bartholomew, was one of the Twelve Apostles. Although most Gospel accounts list him by his personal name of Nathaniel, he is usually known by that other one. His friend Philip introduced him to Jesus. Bartholomew is said to have preached the Gospel to India, where he died a martyr. He is usually pictured carrying a book of the Gospels and a dagger. The latter is the most commonly listed cause of his death. Other accounts tend to be more colorful, as the listing from the Catholic Encyclopedia (linked in this entry) will attest.

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