Saint Barnabas

Life story

The Acts of the Apostles says Barnabas was named Joseph, belonged to the tribe of Levi and was born on Cyprus. The apostles gave him the name Barnabas, which Acts translates as son of encouragement. He sold a field of his own and laid the money at the apostles' feet to help the Jerusalem community. He was the cousin of Mark, the traditional author of the second Gospel.

When believers in Jerusalem were still wary of Saul, who had once persecuted them, it was Barnabas who introduced him to the apostles. Later the Jerusalem Church sent Barnabas to Antioch, where he went to find Saul and worked beside him in the new community. The two set out on a mission to Cyprus and Asia Minor, then went together to Jerusalem for the meeting on admitting Gentiles. Afterwards they disagreed over whether to take Mark along, and Barnabas sailed back to Cyprus with him.

The New Testament says no more about the last years of Barnabas. According to the tradition of the Church of Cyprus, he was martyred at Salamis around the year 61 and buried nearby. The tradition adds that his tomb was found in the late fifth century. A small monastery bearing his name still stands in that region, and Cypriots honour him as the apostle of their island. His feast is kept on 11 June. A later work known as the Letter of Barnabas carries his name but is not considered to be his.

Works and witness

• Sold a field to help the Jerusalem community, according to Acts
• Introduced Saul (Paul) to the apostles in Jerusalem
• Travelled with Paul on mission in Cyprus and Asia Minor
• Worked in Antioch, where the disciples were first called Christians
• According to tradition, martyred at Salamis in Cyprus around 61

Patron of

Cyprus

Saints from the same country

Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Andrew the Apostle, Saint James the Greater

References

• Tân Ước: Công vụ Tông đồ (New Testament: Acts of the Apostles)
• Martyrologium Romanum
• Acta Barnabae (Công vụ Barnaba, tác phẩm ngụy thư thế kỷ V)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.