St. Bartholomew | St. Thaddeus

Following the crucifixion of Christ, Bartholomew traveled the world preaching the Lord's message, performing miracles, and baptizing the new believers.  He made his way to Armenia under the direction of apostle Thomas, who wanted him to continue the work of Thaddeus.

Bartholomew entered the Armenian provinces of Her and Zarevant, where he performed many miracles, healed the sick, exorcised demons, and comforted many with the teachings of Jesus.  By laying his hand on each one of the new believers, he helped them receive God's grace.  In the city of Ourpianos, he healed a mass of people suffering from various illnesses and then baptized them.

Princess Vokouhi, the sister of King Sanadroug, came to see the apostle in secret.  After hearing his preaching, she began to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  She exchanged her royal garments for the simple robe of nuns and started roaming the country with Bartholomew, spreading the gospel.

The king, whose daughter was saved by the apostle Thaddeus, became frantic and sent General Terentios to investigate.  General Terentios, who suffered from leprosy, found the two, but became admired with Bartholomew.  After listening to Bartholomew, the general accepted Christ and was baptized, at which time his leprosy was healed.

When this news reached the king, he was livid.  He sent one of his trusted aids to terminate all the activities of the apostle and his followers.  Soldiers arrested them all and brought them before a special tribunal.

For six hours the believers were tortured and beat.  The soldiers, believing Bartholomew was dead after the torture, tossed him outside the city.  But Bartholomew was alive, and as he sat there broken and beaten people from all around began to gather around him.  After three hours, he started to move, and then got up.  He lifted his hands toward heaven and said, "Lord God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, do not overlook the entreaties of the apostles who labored for this country.  Grant to these people the grace of your mercy and enable them to renounce the worship of their vain idols."

When the apostle finished praying, the earth shook and a giant arc of light hovered above him.  Bartholomew then gave up his soul.  The Holy Apostle Thaddeus appeared before him in bodily form, welcoming and accompanying Bartholomew to heaven.  A light shone above Bartholomew's body for 12 days.

The king's sister, the general, and many others were killed.  The place where Thaddeus appeared became their graveyard.  After the burial there was loud thunder, the deaf regained their hearing, the blind recovered their sight, the mute began to speak, and the sick were restored to health because they had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.