Today's the Feast of St. Batholomew, Apostle and Martyr. In John's Gospel he's known as Nathaniel, "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile." (Jn 1:47) Tradition has it that he preached the Faith to heathen Armenian, where he was flayed. But his work wasn't in vain, St. Gregory the Illuminator baptized Armenia's king, Dertad, in 302 AD, and the country claims to be the first Christian state.
Here's a prayer:
O ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who didst give to thine Apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and preach thy Word; Grant, we beseech thee, unto thy Church, to love that Word which he believed, and both to preach and receive the same; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
St. Bartholomew, pray for us and for the conversion of our wicked and Godless state. Be sure as you do that the gates of Hell shall not prevail.
Faithfully,
LSP
