St. Barnabas 35. Britain, Cyprus, and Martyrdom.
St. Paul likely spent the winter of 57/58 AD in Corinth (cf., 1 Cor 16:5-6), where he wrote his letter to the Romans. Among the many people he greets is the “household,” or “family,” “of Aristobulus” (Ro 16:10). This expression, “household” or “family,” implies that St. Aristobulus may not himself have then been present in Rome, but his extended family was. So where might Aristobulus, the brother-in-law of Barnabas, have been?
“Saint Paul made Aristobulus a bishop and sent him to preach the Gospel in Britain, Scotland, and Hibernia (Ireland), where he converted many people to Christ. He also had to endure many torments and afflictions from hostile pagans [Druids], who beat him and mocked him. Eventually, he won them over and brought them to Christ as well. Saint Aristobulus reposed peacefully in Britain among the people he had evangelized. Some sources say he suffered a martyr's death in Wales at an advanced age.” [6] The Greek Menology (9th Century) says Aristobulus “was there [Britain] martyred, after he had built churches and ordained deacons and priests for the Island.” This was, apparently, near the source of the River Severn in Montgomeryshire, at Arwystli, named after Aristobulus, where he is said to have suffered martyrdom. [7]
Barnabas was also sent to evangelize Britain by Paul. Suetonius was a man born and educated at Avalon, baptized at Avalon by St. Barnabas, and took the name Beatus. He was later was consecrated bishop and became St. Beatus (d. 96), the founder of the Church in Switzerland. [8]
Barnabas’ time in Britain seems to have been only one or more short missionary trips, perhaps supplementing Aristobulus’ work, and perhaps with the need to return periodically to Cyprus to continue guidance of the Church there. Apparently Barnabas was made Bishop of Cyprus in 55 AD and remained its bishop until his death. [9] We have already seen that the following year he was on a missionary journey in Western Asia (with instructions for the Church at Colossae, Col 4:10), so perhaps he continued periodic short-term missionary trips returning to his home Church on Cyprus in between.
St. Barnabas died about 62 AD at age 76. He died a martyr in his home town of Salamis on Cyprus. “Then the enraged Jews incited the pagans against Barnabas, and they led him out beyond the city and stoned him, and then built a fire to burn the body. Later on, having come upon this spot, Mark took up the unharmed body of Saint Barnabas and buried it in a cave, placing upon the saint's bosom, in accord with his final wishes, the Gospel of Matthew which he had copied in his own hand.” [10]
The Acts of Barnabas or, more fully, The Travels and the Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Barnabas, which scholars now date no earlier than the 5th Century [11], tells a similar but more elaborate story, however, without the detail of Barnabas being stoned before his body was burned, and stating that the burning reduced his body completely to ashes. These Acts purports to be written by St. Mark, writing in the first person, and relates that they (Barnabas and Mark) were preaching in Salamis [12] when Elymas Bar Jesus, the apostate, occultic Jew who had previously created trouble (Ac 13:6-8), came and became enraged. Bar Jesus “brought together all the multitude of the Jews; and they having laid hold of Barnabas, wished to hand him over to Hypatius, the governor of Salamis. And having bound him to take him away to the governor, and a pious Jebusite, a kinsman of Nero, having come to Cyprus, the Jews, learning this, took Barnabas by night, and bound him with a rope by the neck; and having dragged him to the hippodrome from the synagogue, and having gone out of the city, standing round him, they burned him with fire, so that even his bones became dust. And straightway that night, having taken his dust, they cast it into a cloth; and having secured it with lead, they intended to throw it into the sea. But I, finding an opportunity in the night, and being able along with Timon and Rhodon to carry it. we came to a certain place, and having found a cave, put it down there, where the nation of the Jebusites formerly dwelt. And having found a secret place in it, we put it away, with the documents which he had received from Matthew. And it was the fourth hour of the night of the second of the week.”
The purported author (Mark) relates how he and his companions escaped pursuit of them, eventually coming to the coast. “And having come to the shore, we found an Egyptian ship; and having embarked in it, we landed at Alexandria. And there I remained, teaching the brethren that came the word of the Lord, enlightening them, and preaching what I had been taught by the Apostles of Christ.”
Like many historical amplifications into legend, some aspects may still be founded on actual events.
The following year, St. Mark is said to have founded the Church in Alexandria, Egypt – no doubt continuing the missionary legacy of St. Barnabas, having learned from his uncle how to be a true pastor, missionary, and founder.
St. Barnabas, “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Ac 11:24), pray for us!
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is located in California City, CA. Visit our website at ollcalcity.org.
Dibby Allan Green has a BA in Religious Studies (Westmont College, 1978) and MA in Theology (Augustine Institute, 2019), is a lay Catholic hermit, and a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.