Bartholomew, according to a non-Biblical document “Martyrdom of Bartholomew”, was martyred in Armenia by King Astyages.  Historian Eusebius who lived in the 4^th century has recorded that Bartholomew preached in India too.  His remains are currently located at the church of St. Bartholomew-in-the-Island, in Rome. The “doubting” apostle, Thomas is widely known for his missionary efforts in India. He died around 72 AD, and his tomb is located in St. Thomas Mount, India.  Matthew is most well-known for his Gospel. He preached to various communities in the Mediterranean before his martyrdom in Ethiopia. His tomb is in the cathedral in Salerno, Italy.  Scholars believe that Saint James the Less authored the “Epistle of St. James” found in the New Testament. After the apostles dispersed and left Jerusalem, James remained and became the first bishop in the holy city. He remained there for several decades until he was stoned to death by the Jewish authorities in the year 62. Some of his relics can be found in the Basilica Santi Apostoli, in Rome. It is also believed his tomb is located at the St. James Cathedral in Jerusalem.  Simon is often depicted with Judas Thaddeus, and some believe they preached together as a team. This is due in part because a tradition states they were both martyred in Beirut in the same year. Some of his relics are believed to be located in Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  After being chosen as the “replacement apostle,” one tradition states that Matthias founded a church in Cappadocia and ministered to Christians on the coasts of the Caspian Sea. It is believed that he died a martyr’s death and was beheaded with an axe in Colchis at the hands of the many pagans there. Some of his relics are said to have been brought to Rome by St. Helena.

Almost all the apostles were martyred for what they believed.  They lived true to the command of our Lord to go out spread the Good News by Baptizing till the ends of the earth.  They refused to stop preaching even when they were threatened, beaten, and thrown in prison.  Today in our society we are facing a different type of persecution.  In all aspects our lives, let us side with Christ and don’t let anything distract us.  This brings us to an end of the Apostolic age.  Next week we will see who the successors St. Peter were and the contribution of the Church to the society.