BARTHOLOMEW, ST ('n5n ~?, son of Talmai), one of the twelve apostles, generally supposed to have been the same as Nathanael (John i. 45). He was a native of Cana in Galilee (John xxi. 2), and was introduced by Philip to Jesus, who, on seeing him approach, at once pronounced that eulogy on his character which has made the name Nathanael almost synonymous with sincerity. He was a witness of the resurrection and the ascension, and returned with the other apostles to Jerusalem. Of his subsequent history we have little more than vague traditions. According to Euseb ins (Ilist. Eccles., v. 10), when Pantienus went on a mission to the Indians (towards the close of the 2d century), he found among them the Gospel of Matthew, written in Hebrew, which had been left there by the apostle Bartholomew. Jerome (De Fir. Illustr., e. 36) gives a similar account. But the name Indians is applied by ancient writers to so many different nations, that it is difficult to determine the scene of Bartholomew's labours. Moshcim (with whom Neander agrees) is of opinion that it was a part of Arabia Felix, inhabited by Jews, to whom alone a Hebrew gospel could be of any service. According to the received tradition, this apostle was flayed alive and crucified with his head downwards, at Albanopolis in Armenia, or, according to Nicephorus, at Urbanopolis in Cilicia. A spurious gospel which bears his name is in the catalogue of apocryphal books condemned by Pope Gelasius. The festival of St Bartholomew is celebrated on the 24th of August.