Today June 11, is the memorial of Saint Barnabas.
He was a Levite Jewish convert, coming to the faith soon after Pentecost, taking the name Barnabas.
Though not of the chosen Twelve Apostles, Barnabas is mentioned frequently in the Acts of the Apostles, and is included among the prophets and doctors at Antioch, and is considered an Apostle.
He was a companion of Saint Paul who introduced him to the Apostles. Like Paul, Barnabas believed in the Church’s mission to Gentiles, and worked with him in Cyprus and Asia, but split with him over a non-theological matter.
Barnabas evangelized in Cyprus with Saint Mark. He founded the Church in Antioch, and was the subject and possible author of some apocryphal works. He was martyred in c. 61 at Salamis.