Today, August 24, is the feast of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle.
Bartholomew was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, and is usually identified with Nathanael, who appears in the Gospel according to John as being introduced to Christ by Philip, who would also become an Apostle.
A popular tradition holds that he was skinned alive and crucified, head downward. He is said to have converted Polymius, the king of Armenia, to Christianity. Astyages, Polymius’ brother, consequently ordered Bartholomew’s execution.