The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07.
Bartholomew, Saint
(bärthl´my) (KEY) , in the New Testament, one of the Twelve Apostles, usually identified with Nathanael. Nathanael is a given name, Bartholomew an Aramaic patronymic meaning son of Talmai. Tradition makes N India his missionary field and Armenia the place of his martyrdom by flaying.