St. Bartholomew the Apostle

St. Bartholomew, whom Church Fathers such as St. John Chrysostom and St. Cyril of Alexandria identify with Nathanael of Cana, was one of the Twelve Apostles, praised by Christ as 'an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.'

After Pentecost he preached the Gospel in Syria, Asia Minor, India, and Greater Armenia, where he converted many, including members of the royal household. Around the year 68 he was martyred at Albanopolis in Armenia, crucified upside down, flayed, and beheaded at the order of the king's brother Astyages, preaching Christ even from the cross. His relics were later carried miraculously to the island of Lipari and eventually to Benevento and Rome.