St. Barnabas

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Feastday: June 11
Patron of Cyprus, Antioch, against hailstorms, invoked as peacemaker
Died: 61

All we know of Barnabas is to be found in the New Testament. A Jew, born in Cyprus and named Joseph, he sold his property, gave the proceeds to the Apostles, who gave him the name Barnabas, and lived in common with the earliest converts to Christianity in Jerusalem. He persuaded the community there to accept Paul as a disciple, was sent to Antioch, Syria, to look into the community there, and brought Paul there from Tarsus. With Paul he brought Antioch's donation to the Jerusalem community during a famine, and returned to Antioch with John Mark, his cousin. The three went on a missionary journey to Cyprus, Perga (when John Mark went to Jerusalem), and Antioch in Pisidia, where they were so violently opposed by the Jews that they decided to preach to the pagans. Then they went on to Iconium and Lystra in Lycaonia, where they were first acclaimed gods and then stoned out of the city, and then returned to Antioch in Syria. When a dispute arose regarding the observance of the Jewish rites, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem, where, at a council, it was decided that pagans did not have to be circumcised to be baptized. On their return to Antioch, Barnabas wanted to take John Mark on another visitation to the cities where they had preached, but Paul objected because of John Mark's desertion of them in Perga. Paul and Barnabas parted, and Barnabas returned to Cyprus with Mark; nothing further is heard of him, though it is believed his rift with Paul was ultimately healed. Tradition has Barnabas preaching in Alexandria and Rome, the founder of the Cypriote Church, the Bishop of Milan (which he was not), and has him stoned to death at Salamis about the year 61. The apochryphal Epistle of Barnabas was long attributed to him, but modern scholarship now attributes it to a Christian in Alexandria between the years 70 and 100; the Gospel of Barnabas is probably by an Italian Christian who became a Mohammedan; and the Acts of Barnabas once attributed to John Mark are now known to have been written in the fifth century. His feast day is June 11.

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1 - 8 of 8 Comments

Joseph Mathew
11 months ago
St. Barnabas, Please pray for us.
Mona
11 months ago
Dear Saint Barnabas, please pray for Jacob that he finds the right path and for his parents that they find the strenght and wisdom to guide him. Thank you.
Doris
11 months ago
Dear St. Barnabas, thank you for being a perfect example of generosity and humility. You sold your property to give to the Apostles to spread the word of God. You yourself lived as a commoner and helped in propagating the Christian faith. The reward of sainthood and eternal life with Jesus is now yours. St. Barnabas, pray for us.
christie
11 months ago
Dear St. Barnabas, I heard of you as a young Scripture student, when we read the Acts of the Apostles, in which I remember your close association with St. Paul. On your missionary journeys and in your teaching of the early Christians you received much encouragement and light from the Holy Spirit. Your Christian name given to you by the Apostles, means son of encouragement. And most significantly, I remember that it was in Antioch that the early converts were first called "Christians". I also recall with the love and admiration that the Cypriots have for you. Nearly everyone's surname was Varnavas. Finally we know that you were martyred. Dear saint of encouragement grant us this wonderful gift of hope and joy on your feast day. Amen
Anthony Obute
1 year ago
I am happy reading this beautiful life history of St. Barnabas. I never knew this much about him until today. Ofcourse I chose the name during my sacrament of Confirmation. I am happier now that I chose the name. St. Barnabas, pray for Us.
Clara Vande-guma
2 years ago
Clearly Barnabas was a controversial figure by this account. Yet we must not forget that he was human as this commentary is. I believe this saint represents what most young men these days undergo and could be invoke especially to intercede in the grooming of boys.
richard lewis
2 years ago
very interesting and very clearly written.
Ellen M Egerter
3 years ago
Barnabas spread the Good Word in difficult times and with much treacherous travel - how much easier is it these days - we are all open to receiving it in Church daily. In the Year of the Priest as always Mass is celebrated everyday and conveniently for us - even on TV! it's on NET TV everyday and even on the internet - so - no excuses! Go or watch - and pray to S. Barnabas while you are there and for your own Pastor and for more vocations. Ellen

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