Bartholomew was one of the twelve Apostles of Christ, but little is known about him. There is a tradition that he is the same man as the Nathaniel whom Christ called 'An Israelite in whom there is no guile' (John 1: 47).
Later writers associate Bartholomew with the spreading of the gospel in Armenia, where he is said to have been flayed alive. His attribute is a knife and he is the patron saint of tanners.