Devotees will commemorate Sunday, June 11, the memory of Saint Barnabas (San Bernabe Apostol), an early Christian missionary and martyr, and a cousin of Saint Mark the Evangelist.
In the country, feast rites will be celebrated at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Tagaytay City as well as at the St. Barnabas Church in Mountain Province.
Known as a loyal follower of Jesus Christ, St. Barnabas was born to wealthy Jewish parents. He sold his properties and gave the proceeds to the apostles.
Like St. Paul, the saint was not actually one of the 12 apostles of Jesus, although both had received a special mission to evangelize and to spread the Good News.
As one of the earliest Christian disciples in Jerusalem, St. Barnabas was considered as the most esteemed man of the first Christian generation. Formerly known as Joseph, the apostles renamed him Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.”
Together with St. Paul, his missionary companion, they converted thousands to the faith. He was one of the first prophets and teachers of the Church in Antioch, now known as the city of Antakya in Turkey.
According to stories, St. Barnabas was stoned to death for standing by his Christian faith in Salamis, Cyprus where a shrine has been built in his honor and memory.
The Acts of the Apostles describe St. Barnabas as “a good man full of the Holy Spirit.”
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