St. Barnabas' Day among Western Christians (11/06)

Holy Apostle Barnabas (St. Barnabas) belongs to the canonry of the holy seventy apostles. Born into a wealthy Jewish family from the Levite family in Cyprus, he received a good theological education in Jerusalem, where he met Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul. Barnabas' original name was Joseph. He received the nickname Barnabas, which means «son of consolation», for his kindness and mercy.

Converted to Christianity, Barnabas was one of the first 70 disciples of Christ. After the death of Jesus, he distributed all his property and devoted himself entirely to the spread of Christianity. For a long time he accompanied the Holy Apostle Paul on his missionary travels, together they visited Cyprus and Pergia, stayed and preached in Antioch for a long time. Barnabas undertook his last visit to Cyprus without Paul, where he went with his nephew Mark.

It was there in Cyprus in the city of Salamis that he met his death at the hands of the Jews: he was taken out of the gate, stoned, and then thrown onto the fire. When Mark later made his way to bury him, he discovered Barnabas’ body completely untouched by fire. Miracles began to occur at the burial site, and it was called «Place of Health», where many patients received healing. Later, a temple was erected there, and the relics of the saint were transferred to the altar.

Many researchers attribute Barnabas to editing the «Epistle to the Jews» of the Apostle Paul, which is quite logical, taking into account the formation of Barnabas and his closeness to the Apostle himself. Barnabas is also considered the founder of the Cypriot Church.

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