Feast of St Barnabas

The Feast of St Barnabas is held on 11th June in western traditions, or 13th in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Barnabas was an early Christian missionary and one of the closest associates of the Apostle Paul. He was born in Cyprus and his given name was Joseph, but he was later nicknamed Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.”

Barnabas is first mentioned in the New Testament in the book of Acts, where he is described as a generous man who sold a field he owned and gave the proceeds to the apostles to distribute to those in need. He later introduced Saul (who would become the apostle Paul) to the other apostles in Jerusalem and vouched for his conversion to Christianity.

Barnabas and Paul went on several missionary journeys together, spreading the gospel throughout Asia Minor and Greece. However, they had a disagreement over whether to take John Mark with them on a second journey, which led to Barnabas and Mark going to Cyprus while Paul and Silas went to other places.

According to tradition, Barnabas continued his missionary work after parting ways with Paul. Some accounts suggest he may have gone as far as Alexandria, Egypt, and Rome. There are also several apocryphal works attributed to Barnabas, including a letter that has been preserved in some early Christian manuscripts.

Barnabas is recognised as a saint in many Christian traditions, including the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church.

• For All The Saints (Sine Nomine, Organ & Trumpet Descant, 6 Verses)
• For All The Saints Who’ve Shown Your Love (O Wally Wally, Organ, 4 Verses)
• Lord You Give The Great Commission (Abbot’s Leigh, Organ, 5 Verses)
• Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace (Orchestra, 3 Verses)
• Onward Christian Pilgrims (Saint Gertrude, Organ, 5 Verses)
• Who Are These Like Stars Appearing (All Saints, Organ, 5 Verses)

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