St. Bartholomew
is one of the Apostles of Christ (Mark 3:14-19). After Christ’s death he
evangelized supposedly Arabia and Mesopotamia, traveled and preached the
gospel as far as India, and was martyred in Armenia. It is believed that
he was first flayed alive and then crucified on a cross upside down. St.
Bartholomew is the patron saint of all trades, which deal with skin. In
art he is often depicted flayed, carrying his skin, or on a cross turned
upside down to make it easier for his torturers to flay to strip off his
skin. |
