Saint Barnabas the Apostle

Also known as

• Bernabé
• Joseph

Memorial

• 11 June

Profile

Levite Jewish convert, coming to the faith soon after Pentecost, taking the name Barnabas. Though not of the chosen Twelve Apostles, Barnabas is mentioned frequently in the Acts of the Apostles, is included among the prophets and doctors at Antioch, and is considered an Apostle. Companion of Saint Paul who introduced him to the Apostles. Like Paul, Barnabas believed in the Church‘s mission to Gentiles, and worked with him in Cyprus and Asia, but split with him over a non-theological matter. Evangelized in Cyprus with Saint Mark. Founded the Church in Antioch. Subject and possible author of some apocryphal works. Martyr.

Born

• Cyprus as Joseph

Died

• martyred in c.61 at Salamis
• at the time of his death he was carrying a copy of the Gospel of Saint Matthew that he had copied by hand

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

Name Meaning

• son of encouragement; son of consolation

Patronage

• against hailstorms
• Antioch
• Cyprus
• invoked as peacemaker
• Marbella, Costa del Sol, Spain
• Marino, Italy

Representation

• ax
• lance
• middle-aged bearded apostle, often bearing a book or olive branch
• standing on or near a pile of stones while holding a book
• stones
• with Saint Paul

Storefront

• medals and pendants

Additional Information

• Acts of Barnabas
• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Catholic Encyclopedia
• Christian Biographies, by James Keifer
• Ecole Glossary, by Karen Rae Keck
• Katherine Rabenstein
• Lives of Illustrious Men, by Saint Jerome
• New Catholic Dictionary
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson

MLA Citation

• “Saint Barnabas the Apostle“. Saints.SQPN.com. 10 April 2013. Web. 22 May 2013. <>