The holy apostle Bartholomew was born in Cana of Galilee. After the Descent of the Holy Spirit, he and the apostle Philip were chosen to preach the Gospel in Syria and Asia Minor. They traveled through many cities, preaching and confirming their words with signs. In Hierapolis, the apostle Bartholomew healed the blind Stachys, which led to many conversions to Christ. For this, they were seized by the city’s chief and sentenced to crucifixion. The apostle Philip was raised on the cross head down, while Bartholomew was taken down from the cross. Later, he went to India, where he translated the Gospel of Matthew and converted many pagans. In Great Armenia, he healed the daughter of King Polymius, and the king and queen accepted Baptism. For this, the apostle was captured and crucified in the city of Alban. He did not cease to preach even from the cross. By the order of Astyages, his skin was flayed, and his head was cut off. The remains of the apostle were buried and later transferred to Mesopotamia and the island of Lipari. In the 9th century, they were transferred to Benevent and part to Rome.
The transfer of the relics of the apostle Bartholomew took place at the end of the 6th century. His relics flowed with myrrh, healing from diseases. After the capture of Anastasiopolis by the Persians, Christians took the relics and fled to the shores of the Black Sea, where the coffin with the relics was thrown into the sea but did not sink. It arrived at the island of Lipari, where it was solemnly transferred to the church. The holy relics remained there until the middle of the 9th century, and then were transported to Benevent, where they were received with great honor.
