The Collect for today, St Bartholomew's Day:

O almighty and everlasting God, who didst give to thine apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach thy Word; Grant we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The apostle Bartholomew, named in all three synoptic gospels, is generally identified with Nathanael, who is named only in the Gospel of St John. (For more details, see here.) If this identification is accepted, we have a great deal of information on Bartholomew’s calling (John 1:45-51). Jesus described him as an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit.

Nothing is known for certain of his post-New Testament ministry. There are conflicting accounts of his missionary activity in Asia Minor, Armenia, Mesopotamia, Persia, India and Egypt. Of these Armenia has the strongest support, where he was said to have been flayed alive before being beheaded.

Following this account, Michelangelo, in his painting The Last Judgment, portrayed Bartholomew holding in his hand his own skin.

The photo at the right shows a closer view. Michelangelo gave Bartholomew a new and perfect skin, while he painted a self-portrait on the old skin.

One of London’s oldest churches is named after him. The oldest parts of The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great date to 1123, when the English throne was held by King Henry I, son of William the Conqueror. St Bartholomew’s Hospital, located beside the church, was founded at the same time.

UPDATE (31 Dec.): Post on The Priory Church of St Bartholomew the Great here.