St. Barnabas the Apostle COLLECTION (RLS 02)

A Cypriote Jew by birth originally named Joseph or Joses, St. Barnabas (1st century) was probably one of the Seventy-Two Disciples of Christ Jesus before the Crucifixion (Luke 10:1-20). He arose to greater prominence after Pentecost and is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles. Having sold all his property, Barnabas contributed the proceeds to the Apostles in Jerusalem thereafter living communally with other believers. He may have been a fellow student of Gamaliel the Elder with St. Paul before the latter’s conversion on the road to Damascus. At any rate, Barnabas was responsible for introducing to and gaining acceptance for Paul among the Apostles despite his earlier persecution of Jesus’ followers. Sent by the Apostles to care for the Jewish Christian community in Antioch, Syria, Barnabas enlisted Paul as assistant. In a reversal of roles, he later became Paul’s traveling companion and fellow missionary to the Gentiles. Later, he evangelized on his own with his cousin John Mark in Cyprus and perhaps Alexandria and even Rome according to some accounts. He was martyred c. 61 at Salamis on Cyprus probably by stoning although other sources say he was burned to death. His principal attribute is a handwritten copy of the Gospel of St. Matthew that carried with him everywhere. Secondarily, stones or a flame allude to his martyrdom. + Together with St. Paul, St. Barnabas is regarded as an honorary Apostle. He is regarded as the founder of the Church in Cyprus. He is invoked a peacekeeper for his role in reconciling Paul with the Apostles and the Judaizers with the Gentile Christian community. He is also invoked against hailstorms. + Feast: June 11 +