Meet St. Barnabas The Apostle

Born in Cyprus and originally called Joseph, St Barnabas was not one of the twelve apostles. However, Barnabas played a pivotal role in the life of the early Christian Church. He introduced Paul to Peter and the other apostles after Paul’s conversion.

The name Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement”.

Barnabas was from a wealthy background, and tradition informs us that he sold a field and brought the money to the apostles for their missionary work. The Acts of the Apostles records this:

“Thus Joseph, who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas—a Levite and a native of Cyprus—sold a field that belonged to him, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:36)

Later, Barnabas became a companion of St. Paul traveled with him on some of his missionary journeys. He is mentioned in some of Paul’s letters. Barnabas was a founder of the Church at Antioch and invited Paul to help him form new communities of Christians there. Paul and Barnabas then traveled to other cities in Asia Minor, preaching the Gospel.

These two apostles used the money they had obtained while in Antioch to relieve the famine in Judea. However, Paul and Barnabas fell out over John Mark, the author of the second Gospel. They parted company for a while and were eventually reunited. Not much is known about the life of Barnabas after this.

Tradition tells us that Barnabas was martyred by being stoned to death in AD 61. He was the founder of the Cypriot Church. Barnabas is the patron of peacemakers, collaborators, and missionaries.

His Feast Day is 11 June:

Father,
You sent St. Barnabas to convert the nations.
Help us to proclaim your Gospel.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.
Amen.

Fr. Robert
9 June 2026.