St Barnabas

The story of this early missionary, a Cypriot Jew called Joseph, is told in the Acts of the Apostles.

He was named Barnabas (son of encouragement) by the Twelve Apostles when he sold property and gave them the money (4:36-37).

He introduced the convert Paul to the apostles (9:27), was officially sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch (11:22-26), was set apart with Paul by the Spirit for a mission to Cyprus (13:2), attended the Council of Jerusalem (15:12), and returned to Cyprus with Mark (15:36-41).

By tradition, he was martyred there.

Text: Catholic News Service