#nathaniel the apostle

[imnotkosmic]

Totally forgot about the "posting The Chosen memes until season four comes out" thing I was doing, do here have a meme cause I forgot. (credit to The Chosen Archive on Instagram)

[stuff-the-chosen-didnt-say]

Matthew: Hypothetically, if I was in love with Mary...

Matthew: ...Which I'm NOT!

Nathaniel: [Looks at the camera like he's on The Office]

[dolokhoded]

the bad part about apostledesigning is that i have twelve different dudes the keep track of and since the references are Currently Being Made there are no references how the fuck am i supposed to remember how tall matthew is and what colors i assigned to little james be so for real

[lexxiie]

Can I request something like falling asleep on the four apostles (Nathaniel, Kageo, Aliepde, Thaddeus) + Raphael???

Thanks again! Really love all of your headcanons 💕

FALLING ASLEEP ON THEM

Hello anon! I must admit that while I like Kageo as a character, i don't have a crush on him like I have for the rest, which makes it hard to write for him. As for Raphael... ANON, HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A FACE YET!!!! So here's the deal. I'll wait till the reveal cause I just know I'll like him, and then I'll update all my killer peter posts to include him.

Fandom: killer peter

Featuring: Nathaniel, Thaddeus, Alipede.

Nathaniel

He met you a couple of weeks ago, and felt completely mesmerized when he saw you, he just had to ask you out.

He first invited you to have dinner with him, and the date went pretty good. You mentioned that there was this movie that you really liked and he said he’d never seen it, so after a couple of dates, he decided that it would be a good idea to invite you to watch it at his apartment. You said yes.

He made popcorn and door dashed Chinese food. The date was going smoothly, and the movie was so good that he initially didn’t even realize that you had fallen asleep on his lap.

Oh.

He had never seen you like this before. If he already thought you were beautiful awake, this might just be the most wonderful view he’s ever seen.

The doctor couldn’t help but caress your face as he watched you, now having forgotten about the movie. Nathaniel felt moved that you trusted him enough to fall asleep with him. He spent the rest of the night wondering if you would still like him this much once you got to know all of him, the good and the bad. Soon after, he fell asleep as well. You both woke up till the next morning, still together.

Alipede

He doesn’t get along with work mates. He doesn’t like them, he avoids to have any sort of contact with them.

So why in the world is he allowing this?

You were both on a mission, and the heavens know he hates team work, Raphael knows this, too. He doesn’t need anyone, in fact, other people get in his way when it comes to work… or anything, really. Which is why he can't understand why you were assigned alongside him.

Just like always, he was right. Nothing can work out when he’s with someone else. The plan was to retrieve a document from a building without being seen, but it started raining. John decided to not risk it and wait till the rain was over so that he could regain his senses fully. You both hid in an alleyway nearby to wait.

Not even an hour had gone by and you were already asleep. You unconsciously laid your head against his shoulder and he wanted to push you so, so bad but for some reason, instead of doing so, he accommodated his body so that you wouldn’t be in such an awkward position.

Now here he was, caressing your hair, realizing how stupid this all is and wishing he could’ve come here alone... but you smell so nice, and your hair is so soft, and your skin is so warm and your breathing-

And it stopped raining. But for reasons he doesn’t understand, he waits a little more to wake you up.

Thaddeus

He liked you. He really did. But whenever he was around you he felt the need to act "normal." Thaddeus just assumed you didn't feel the same way, and he didn't want to make you uncomfortable.

His plan was to never make a move and keep acting cool until his feelings dissipated. Yeah, it was a good plan. It was a great plan.

"Would you like to have lunch with me?" He asked you, immediately mentally reprimanding himself for ruining the plan. He fucked up, didn't he? You seemed quite taken aback. The killer attempted to make it less weird, "you know, cus it's getting late and we haven't eaten and all, but I can go on my own if you aren't hung-"

"I'd like to go." Great.

You both found a food stall nearby and walked through the little town you were sent to while you finished your food. At some point, you decided to sit on a bench to watch the sunset, and before Thaddeus realized, your head was resting on his shoulder. Suddenly, the mesmerizing view of the sun disappearing into the sea was nothing compared to you. And nothing could compare to the feeling of your body against his, so calm, trusting him enough to fall asleep on him. He didn't want this to be the last time. Fuck the plan.

MASTERLIST

[belovedivies]

Hello👋 I was wondering how would the skinless chicken-I MEAN Nathanael interact with Raphael's older sibling?😅

cw: minor spoiler dividers-credit: @kodaswrld m.list

nathaniel and you…

⋆ ˚｡⋆are the epitome of a match made in hell! We have a body dissection loving maniac who breaks guns with bare hands and a sociopath whose father you buried for the throne that your brother now occupies. Of course, you guys get along like a house on fire.

⋆ ˚｡⋆surprisingly have the time to hang out. You always find a way to forcefully squeeze yourself into his schedule, like dropping by unannounced during his night shifts so you can whip him away for a few minutes! The nurses and patients mistake you two for a couple all the time, something Nathaniel doesn’t bother to clarify anymore.

⋆ ˚｡⋆share what can almost be considered as a bond despite the chaos going on. Aside from Raphael, he’s the one guy whose company you somewhat enjoy and find amusement in. You’re also the only girl who gets to spray deodorant in this scary man’s face and don’t end up being slammed against the wall. It’s a win-win! ☪︎ ･ﾟ ･Nathaniel... begrudgingly acknowledges the influence you have on Glory Club. How a fragile-looking woman can command fear and respect without trying. He, though, still has a hard time wrapping his head around the mind-boggling jokes you blurt out sometimes versus the cruelty you’re capable of inflicting. One night, after a quick patient checkup, the Apostle found you in the hallway along with two of his men out cold on the floor, their hands and legs bent at all different angles. Then you just ran up to him with a smile, never elaborating on what happened. ☪︎ ･ﾟ ･You... think Nathaniel’s pride now might as well be his downfall. He’s strong, he’s smart, and he has potential. But this is THE Peter we’re talking about. If that boogeyman is lurking around the corner and somehow still as unbeatable as he was 50 years ago, Nathaniel—even in all his evolutionary glory—statistically stands no chance of surviving. And if he is lucky enough to just barely make it out alive, the man’s ego is gonna be damaged for good. ☪︎ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･❂

“It’s so cold out here…” You tugged your legs underneath your chin and let out a loud yawn, wiggling your feet. “I thought the rainy season ended last week?”

Five centimeters away from you on the bench, Nathaniel leisurely sipped on his Americano. “High humidity levels,” he set the cup aside, “so your clothes might get saturated by the moisture in the air.”

“Huh, guess that’s why I’m still shivering in these 70D stockings—“ mid-sentence, your eyes widened when the guy suddenly took off his blouse and draped it over your lap. “Thanks.”

Nathaniel just shrugged and picked up his drink again. Two nurses walked by and cooed at the scene, though you weren’t sure if the attention was on you or him, or the playing-house act he had been tolerating for a while.

You scanned your surroundings: the hospital’s courtyard was mostly empty at this point. A few elderly patients hung out in the right corner of a dimly lit cafeteria, doing their nighttime stretches. When you look up, a billboard on the side of the building greeted your eyes—a picture of an old-looking Peter with his back hunched. The bounty flashed beneath it in place of the contact number for donation: 7,6 Billion Won.

“Kim Soongu…” The words left your lips as an afterthought, but then you caught Nathaniel’s jaws clenching in your peripheral vision with the coffee cup suddenly crushed to a pulp in his palm, a river of brown dripping to the ground.

The awkward silence didn’t even last for three seconds before a hysterical fit of laughter left your throat as you clung to your stomach.

“Holy fuck—“ snickering, you leaned against Nathaniel’s side like you two were having a sleepover. “Look at the way you got your panties in a twist with just the mention of his name. Is he that good?”

Your slightly-closer-than-an-acquaintance furrowed his eyebrows and answered through gritted teeth. “Brat…”

“Annoying too?” you mirrored his cocked brow with amusement, cheek leaning on his shoulder as you watched the guy slip off his beverage-soaked glove, “didn’t the stats say Soongu is just another D-rank killer though?”

“Not it from my observation.” Nathaniel huffed. “He had some untapped potential. Having him on my team would be… beneficial.”

You tilted your head. “For…?”

“Taking down Peter,” he looked a little irritated at your constant questioning, but ultimately decided not to show that frustration. Instead, Nathaniel’s raspy voice took on what seemed to be a teasing note; his lips curled up into an easy-going smile as the man flicked your forehead.

“So much for your plastic surgery idea, princess.”

“Ow—!” You squealed, touching the violated skin; he wasn’t even using force and you could already feel a bump rising. “What do you mean? So it wasn’t him?”

“It’s real skin from what I felt.” Nathaniel ran a hand over his hair. “Tch, whatever. When he shows up tomorrow, I’ll definitely find out.”

Tomorrow. You tucked your legs further under your chin, eyes still trained on him.

“Hyun Il.”

“?”

The Apostle turned his head towards you.

“You’re 100% likely to die.”

“Doubtful, aren’t we?”

You let out a giggle. “You wanna hear me say it?”

Nathaniel’s gaze hardened. “I will win.”

Cute.

A sigh left your lips as you stared up at the dark sky above. It was a relatively starless night, but there were still some lonely orbs twinkling if you squinted hard enough.

Some saw themselves as the sun—the center of this universe with planets orbiting around them. Constantly striving for a new high. Yet there were bound to be limits. A wall in between. Something, someone who might just show up one day and render all of their efforts useless.

How incompetent we were in the grand scheme of things.

☪︎ ･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆･ﾟ ･ﾟ·:｡･ﾟﾟ･❂

"Planning to dig up his body?"

Raphael's comment earns a small smile from you. Taking your little brother's hand, you stand up from where you have been crouching on the ground for the last few minutes.

"Nathaniel doesn't need to be physically here to haunt me," you hum playfully while his fingers brush off the imaginary dust on your hair. "Jokes aside, he's cremated. I'm surprised to find out that could still work without the furnace blowing up; he's like a walking T vessel."

"Mhm…"

"Found anything at the scene?"

At your inquiry, Raphael's brows drawn together in a way that reminds you of Nathaniel. Then again, frustration doesn't have a second face.

"Tch, nothing at all." His grip around your shoulders tighten. "That bastard vanished without a trace."

All the killers dying… so that really was Peter's doings. You've seen the outcome from miles away, yet who is to say the result doesn't baffle you in the slightly? What Glory Club is dealing with here is no longer a human being.

"Hey, Raphael…" for a second, the face of an unfamiliar teenager pops up in your mind—black hair, red eyes that hold an immaculate sense of authority, "do you think that…"

"Yes?" Your brother tilted his head. There's a lump in your throat that is suddenly too hard to swallow.

"Nevermind," as quick as that eerie hypothesis comes to be, you forcefully swat it away; a sharp edge to your smile, "let's get back, shall we? It's gonna start raining soon."

[thewritetofreespeech]

Could I request Nathaniel Hawthorne having sex with his s/o in a church?

Bless him father, for he had sinned. He had strayed far from God’s embrace and into the arms of another. Driving him further & further from the Lord like he was driving his cock further & further into them.

Nathaniel wasn’t sure how this had happened. When this had happened. Their passion was a force that none of his prayers or temperance could fight against. Everyday he felt himself more consumed by the madness of this lust. ‘God save me. God forgive me.’

Even as his holy prayers comb through his mind, his partner’s prayers are less holy. “Oh God don’t stop! Oh God right there Nathan!” Clinging to his robes he had just lifted up to fuck them on this holy alter. Their juices spilling out over it like spilled communion wine.

Despite his pleas for salvation from his Lord, Nathaniel does not stop. His cock deep inside his unmarried lover, seconds from putting a bastard in them. His forked tongue that both spoke of God’s reverence and licked inside them deep in their mouth. His hands that held his rosary so tight now at their throat in this Folie à Deux.

“Uhhn! I’m cumming Nathan! Cum with me! Cum with me!” Nathaniel does, as if on common. Their words in this moment his god now as he finished inside them under the watchful eye of God and his stained-glass apostles. “That was amazing….”

He cannot agree. Though the sex had been incredible, the guilt of what they had just done was pooling in on him. He’d been led far from God before but this….what his partner had tempted him into….he felt no sin more ardent against the Lord since Eve and her apple.

“Oh come on. Don’t make that face.” His partner cooed. Not helpful. Not empathetic. Not remorseful in the least, but beguiling and already pushing the blame aside. “You know you liked it. Panting like a dog in heat. It’s not a big deal anyway. Besides, doesn’t God forgive all?” He did.

God forgives all who seek him. But those who seek him must be repentant, willing to change. So Nathaniel knew that God was not going to forgive him any time soon.

[jh-newman-opn]

did the blessed Virgin Mary see the apostles martyred

A question that occurred to me during my daily rosary, and which I am now going to attempt to answer.

According to Hippolytus of Thebes, our blessed mother was assumed around the year 41AD. The 18thC mystic Catherine Emmerich says she was aged around 64 at the time of the Dormition (source: a vision), which would put the date between 45-49AD. Based on these two extremely accurate and definitely not questionable dates, I will now show how many of her children Our Lady had to watch die (while on earth). Edited upon being reminded from "she did not see this" to "she saw this from heaven", because. well. she did.

Jesus: 33AD. Obviously.

Judas: 33AD. She did not see this bc she was a bit busy with our boy JC but she was around and in the area.

James (the Greater) son of Zebedee: killed by Herod Agrippa in 44AD. Our Lady apparently bilocated to see him on his mission (ur mum could never) so maybe she did that for his death as well.

Andrew: Crucified on an X-shaped cross in Achaia (Greece) in the year 60-61AD. She saw this from heaven.

James (the Lesser) son of Alphaeus: stoned to death in the AD60s. She saw this from heaven.

Philip: Crucified upside down in Hierapolis in 62AD. She saw this from heaven.

Matthew: martyred in Ethiopia in 65AD. She saw this from heaven.

Matthias (replaced Judas): martyred in 65AD, either hacked to death or crucified. She saw this from heaven.

Peter: crucified upside down during the Neronian persecutions of 67-68AD. She saw this from heaven.

Paul: beheaded in Rome on the same day (BFF goals). She saw this from heaven.

Bartholomew/Nathaniel: skinned alive in Armenia in 72AD. She saw this from heaven.

(Doubting) Thomas: was in Persia and India (VERY funny story about this in the gnostic Gospel of Thomas) but was teleported back to Jerusalem three days after Our Lady's Dormition, and was there to see that her body had been assumed. He was later stabbed to death in India in 74AD. She saw this from heaven.

John: Probably died of natural causes at the end of the 1st century. He's winning. St Robert Bellarmine thinks his body was assumed into heaven so they even reunited on the same day (side note: John's conviction that he is Jesus's specialest little apostle is consistent with the favourite child syndrome he clearly also has from Our Lady, and this cannot have helped. Who is the greatest disciple? Doesn't matter, mummy loves John most). She saw this from heaven and then immediately they had a touching reunion :))))))

Simon the Zealot/Jude and Jude/Thaddeus: unknown but probably martyred together. We assume she saw this from heaven, because the alternative would make me sad.

[momentsbeforemass]

The Judas he’s always known

“What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”

That’s how today’s Gospel opens. And there’s a horrifying honesty in the question that Judas asks the chief priests. Judas knows exactly what he’s doing.

How is that even possible? Jesus is the best thing that’s ever happened to Judas.

Judas is a petty, vain, greedy man. And he’s crushingly aware of this.

But for the first time in his life, someone looked him (God incarnate, as it happens) and said, “I want you on my team.” For the first time in his life, Judas is part of something good, something holy. For the first time in his life, Judas is unconditionally loved.

The teachings that Jesus explained to the Apostles? Judas heard it.

The healings and miracles that Jesus did? Judas saw it.

When the disciples went out two by two, to heal and perform miracles in Jesus’ name? Judas did it.

So how does someone who heard, saw, and did all of that end up asking the chief priests, “What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?”

Because it didn’t change Judas. Not because Judas was vain (although he was). Not because Judas was stealing from everyone (although he was).

It doesn’t change Judas. Because Judas won’t let it.

None of it soaks in. All of it rolls right off Judas. Like water off a duck’s back.

Because every time it happens – every teaching, every healing, every miracle – every time, Judas keeps a tight grip on the Judas he’s always known, the Judas before Jesus. And goes right back to being that Judas.

If you look at the arc of the other Apostles – whether it’s clean and simple like the numinous moment of Nathaniel, a crisis like Thomas’ struggle with doubt, or a plodding two-steps-forward-one-step-back cycle of Peter – all of them grow and change the longer they’re around Jesus.

But not Judas. Judas is the only constant among the Apostles.

Because Judas keeps a tight grip on the Judas he’s always known, the Judas before Jesus. And goes right back to being that Judas.

That is how it happens. That’s how you get to the question. And not just for Judas. That’s how it happens for you and me.

When we encounter Jesus in the Sacraments, in the Word, in the poor, in the sick, in the people who are part of our lives, do we keep a tight grip on the us we’ve always known, the us before Jesus? And go right back to being that us?

Or do we let go of the us we’ve always known, the us before Jesus?

And open our hearts to His unconditional love? To the good, to the holy, to the possible? To the us we were made to be?

The choice matters. Because only one of them leads to eternal life.

Today’s Readings

[multifandomsofficial]

Okay how about the apostles reacting to y'all having a nightmare while married headcanons?

...

FYI: this doesn't have Thomas or Simon Peter in the mix. Love you! ❤

Judas

Would wake up, and not know how to react. Definitely debate if he should wake you up or just let you wake naturally. Judas would lay a hand on your shoulder, whispering comforting words as you still are asleep and in the nightmare.

"I've got you, nashama. Relax, you're alright."

Nathaniel

When he is out, he's out. It would be so hard to wake him up, even if you tried. So, don't be surprised that he's not fully into the world yet. He more just feels you moving, so while he's sleeping, Nathaniel pulls you closer. Like, he didn't even wake up. No need to, really. He just can sense something is up.

Zee

It's like this man doesn't sleep. Like, he is not a sound sleeper at all. He can sense everything. Like, everything-everything. So he'd wake up first, noticing how off you seem in your sleep. Definitely gently wake you up, comforting you in any way possible, even thinking that you're hurt at some point.

"It's alright, omri. I'm here. Nothing can hurt you."

Philip

He was already awake, thinking or praying and glanced at you. You shivered in your sleep, and he whispered, "You okay?"

When you didn't respond, he realized you're still asleep, and move closer to you, holding you close and praying that God would give you good rest.

Andrew

Would wake up with a start and fall off the bed, then quickly get on his feet and stare at you awkwardly. You start to giggle at him, and he joins you. You can't remember what the nightmare was thanks to Andrew.

Big James

For some reason, he just couldn't sleep. His arm was wrapped around you, and he could feel your breathing change. He gently rubbed his huge hand down your spine, and your body almost instantly relaxed. James couldn't fight back a small smile as he inched closer to you.

Thaddeus

You didn't feel bad waking him up, even if he looked peaceful. The dream had freaked you out big time. Thaddeus was still a little out of it, but noticed how upset you were and instantly forced the sleepiness out of his body. Stay up and talk you through it.

John

Pffff, sleep can wait if you're upset. Definitely pull you to his chest, whispering comforting sweet nothings to you. This man would do literally anything to make you feel better. Pray with you, giving his small little sweet smile at the end.

[edwardian-girl-next-door]

Feast Days: St. Bartholomew

Saint Bartholomew, workshop of Simone Martini (c.1317-1319)

Happy St. Bartholomew's Day!

Today marks the feast day of St. Bartholomew the Apostle -- that's right, one of the OG followers of Jesus! Although he has a pretty miniscule role in Biblical narratives, he is one of the twelve apostles, and so has a heavy load when it comes to patronage. He is the patron saint of butchers, Florentine salt and cheese merchants, house painters, book binders, leather workers, neurological diseases, skin diseases, dermatology, shoemakers, glove makers, farmers, curriers, tanners, trappers, and twitching.

A fair warning: this one isnt' so cheerful. Bart's demise, like many of the saints, is pretty gnarly, and it does have something to do with all this skin/leather stuff going on in his patronage. This day is also associated with an infamous example of religious violence, Catholic vs. Protestant. Read on at your own peril.

His Life

Not a lot is known about Bartholomew's life within Biblical canon. He is believed to be same person as the apostle Nathaniel, who appears in John 1:45-51 and 21:2. He is also mentioned in the Book of Acts.

Much of the tradition around Bartholomew details his trips to spread Christianity. This man sure got around! Two ancient texts cite a trip to India, specifically the Bombay region, where he left a copy of the Gospel of Matthew. However, many scholars doubt that this actually happened, and say that he actually went to Ethiopia or modern-day Yemen. Still other traditions hold that he was a missionary in Mesopotamia, northeastern Iran, and/or central Turkey.

Arguably his most eventful missions trip was to the Armenia/Azerbaijan area in the 1st century CE. Along with his fellow apostle Jude (also called Thaddeus), he is credited with bringing Christianity to the region; and as such, both are venerated as the patron saints of the Apostolic Church of Armenia. His luck ran out here, however, and he was martyred in the region in horrific fashion. Legend holds that he converted the king of Albania, Polymius, to Christianity. Polymius's brother was not a fan of this, and fearing a Roman backlash, and ordered Bartholomew's torture and execution. There are three main stories about his manner of death. The most popular says that he was executed in Albonopolis in Armenia by being flayed (skinned) alive and beheaded. The second account says he was crucified upside-down, and the third that he was beaten unconscious and thrown into the sea to drown. The first legend captures the imagination much more vividly, and as such Bartholomew is most frequently depicted holding his skin -- sometimes he has grown a new skin, other times he is still a skin-less meat man. Many times the old skin still has his face. Woof.

Bartholomew has also come to be associated with the field of medicine, for two main reasons. Firstly, artists past and present have taken advantage of Bartholomew's flayed state to execute detailed anatomical studies of the human body. Secondly, a portion of his relics are stored at the basilica of San Bartolomeo all'Isola in Rome. This was the old site of a temple to Asclepius, which was an important Roman medical site (Asclepius is the Greek god of medicine). Thus, over time, Bartholomew and medicine came to be connected.

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

A depiction by Huguenot painter François Dubois, who was possibly an eyewitness (c.1572-1584)

This series mainly focuses on saints' days in the UK, but one does not simply discuss St. Bartholomew's Day without discussing the massacre. This outbreak of bloodletting was part of the decades-long French Wars of Religion, which was fought on and off between Catholics and Huguenots (French Calvinist Protestants). As religion held such an essential role in society and in the machinations of power, the 'type' of Christianity embraced by the state was literally and frequently a matter of life and death. With autocratic governments, unity of church and state, and much less effective means of communication and law enforcement, it was only too easy for hate and violence to take over, and for those in power to turn a blind eye or even participate. There are many contemporary examples we can look to as parallels to this event, and I think with the same conditions, it could happen a lot more often.

The massacre took place in Paris on the night of August 23rd-24th, 1572. Although the causes for the riots are complex and deep-rooted, the main inciting factor was the marriage of Henry III of Navarre, a Catholic, to Margaret of Valois, a Huguenot. They were married on August 18th, and many rich and famous Huguenots gathered in largely-Catholic Paris to attend the wedding. Tensions erupted in scenes of horrific violence, with Catholic mobs attacking, trapping, and hunting down Huguenots in the streets. The violence lasted for several weeks, spreading out through the provinces and other urban areas. Sir Francis Walsingham, Elizabeth I's ambassador to France at the time, was in Paris during the violence and barely managed to escape with his life. Modern estimates cite the casualties from anywhere between 5,000 and 30,000 people. Although the Catholic reaction to the slaughter ranged from outward glee to sickened horror, Protestant countries obviously panicked, and the massacre was used as anti-Catholic propaganda for centuries, 'justifying' Protestant reprisals against uninvolved Catholics. It was yet another terrible event in the brutal European Wars of Religion.

St. Bartholomew's Day and its Traditions

On to more cheerful things!

This day is also called Bartlemas or Bartelmytide.

Emma, the wife of King Canute, supposedly brought one of Bartholomew's arms to England in the 11th century, and it was venerated in Canterbury Cathedral for many years. Most of the information on this is in the past tense, so I assume it is no longer there.

Depiction of Bartholomew Fair, Rowlandson et. al., c.1808

August and the time around St. Bartholomew's Day is the traditional time for markets and fairs. One of the most famous was Bartholomew Fair in West Smithfield, London. A massive spectacle, it served as a place for serious trade, becoming the main cloth trading event in the country; but it also offered entertainment like dances, tournaments, musicians, international curiosities, food vendors, conjurers, wild animals, circus acts, and an all-around good time. It began in 1133 by a charter from Henry I, and originally lasted three days, but during the 1600s it could go for two full weeks! With the change in the calendar in 1753, the fair was moved to September 3rd, and in 1791 they decided four days was quite enough time. It was ended in 1855 for causing public disturbance and the criminal activity it attracted. A less rowdy street fair is still held in Crewkerne, Somerset, at the beginning of September. It dates back to Saxon times and is even recorded in the Doomesday Book of 1086!

There is also some delightful weather wisdom about St. Bartholomew's Day. One rhyme says, "If St. Bartholomew's be fair and clear / Then a prosperous autumn comes that year". Another is connected to St. Swithin's Day (July 15th), and claims "All the tears St. Swithin can cry / St Bartelmy's mantle wipes them dry". Traditional wisdom holds that rain on St. Swithin's Day means rain for the next 40 days, or until August 24th.

Many areas have their own unique ways of celebrating the holiday, such as blessing mead or baking special bread. It's nice to know that a holiday associated with such terrible things can be made into a nice occasion!

If You're Still Interested

There are a few famous depictions of the saint, including Michelangelo's rendering in "The Last Judgement". However, the whole flayed skin thing makes it pretty gruesome, and I didn't want to spring that on y'all without warning. If you'd like to see it, feel free to Google!

History Today's article that details some specific exhibitions from Bartholomew's Fair, including ventriloquists and a pig that could tell time!

Sources

Please forgive the excess of Wikipedia! It's hard to find info on the internet about this holiday, and Wikipedia has been the most forthcoming. It really can be helpful sometimes.

Wikipedia (Bartholomew the Apostle)

Wikipedia (Bartholomew Fair)

Wikipedia (St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre)

My AP European History class (woot)

aclerkofoxford

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden

The Encyclopedia of Saints by Rosemary Ellen Guiley

[angedemystere]

Some quick spoilery thoughts about The Chosen S3 E6

Ok wow we’re meeting Pilate and his wife this early in the show. And Pilate is like, what, 21? This show once again playing with my expectations (in a good way)

SNEKK (vague Passion of the Christ vibes 👀)

Everyone’s just casually sharpening their knives and ngl I too did not get the joke right away Matthew that’s ok

Very interesting that of all the people Nathaniel sends over to Zee to get info it’s Little James. Nicely shows how his meekness is effective at disarming even former Zealots (to a point)

But hey why not have Matthew ask and show how Zee and Matthew have gotten to know each other? Bc he’s too busy learning how to stab people in the eye from Simon?

Honestly I wasn’t sure what Zee would actually do, but it was cool seeing him cornered by Zealots, then realizing his only option is to “fight” without a blade the way he was trained, but by relying on his faith in Jesus, and it ends up impacting at least one of the Zealots. Like, it was a little close to cheesy, but it made you see how Zee would someday become an effective apostle without having to use his assassin skills (most of the time)

Mary and Tamar’s conversation .... that was beautiful and oooooof

Ladies getting down to BUSINESS (with the olive oil business)

Judas forgetting to take the sheath off his dagger before threatening an intruder 🤣

Simon testing John’s messengers to make sure they know Andrew ... “T/F Andrew is a great dancer” istg

Simon and Eden’s whole situation ... ripping my heart to pieces

Ok what’s the deal with Pilate and Atticus? Are they related? They’re very buddy-buddy, to the point that I think they might be uncle and nephew or something. Dallas please explain. I loved their conversation but pls explain

This take on Pilate is fascinating. He’s clearly a product of his environment, but he also wants the good of the people and to foster peace (which includes executing rebels). Nicely sets up his role in Jesus’s story (the irony train never stops)

BARNABY AND SHULA!!!!

Gaius listening to Jesus’s teachings instead of Quintus’s commands and helping the people in the tent city aggghhh! I mean it’s beautiful but also dude you’re going to get in trouble

I almost cried when the mute man was healed

I love that while Jesus is clearly challenging the Pharisee and religious leaders in general, there’s yearning in the way He’s speaking - He wants so much for the Pharisee to listen the way Yosef and Jairus do

Also Jairus and Gaius inadvertently collaborating to protect Jesus askgdhf

[imnotkosmic]

Moments from "The Chosen" that live rent free in my head:

• Season two: John the Baptist excitingly screaming "yeah!" when Jesus cast a demon from Caleb.

• Season two: "The Son of Man- that's Me, btw."

• Season two: Simon P and Andrew's argument ("My little brother whom I love very much?")

• Season two: Phillip's introduction was the best.

• Season three: BIG AND LITTLE JAMES HUGGED ON THEIR 2 BY 2 MISSION AND BIG JAMES HAD TO PICK LIL' JAMES UP BECAUSE HE'S SO SMALL.

• Season three: Angry Phillip.

• Season three: When the man broke into Andrew's flat. ("Knock next time!")

• Season three: When Simon P told Nathaniel and Z to be quite.

• Season three: The Sons of Thunder being jealous of each other because of Thomas.

• Season two/three: Thomas asked Ramah to marry him???

• Season one: "I'm not exactly jumping of out my sandals because Creepy John pointed at someone!"

• Season one: When Andrew got that huge coat for Jesus ("I think I could fit all of you in here with Me.")

• Season two/three: Jesus telling John (and Little James I'm pretty sure?) that He loved them.

• Seasons two and three: Jesus calling His disciples by their nicknames.

• Season two: Simon P introducing the others to Simon Z ("That's Nathaniel, he says what first comes to his mind, so don't be offended.")

• Season two: The Son's of Thunder and the Son's of Jonah competing to see who goes fishing. (Sore loser Andrew lol)

[stuff-the-chosen-didnt-say]

Little James: How do we know when we’ve mess up beyond repair? 

Thaddeus: Well... 

Nathaniel: When Simon is the voice of reason. 

[loafandfish]

Could I ask for fluff headcanons of apostles being fathers?

Ahhhhh yesss I’m in love with this concept! Oh my goodness all of them would be amazing fathers

Simon Peter: He would be the dad who’s actually the coolest. When his kid’s friends were over, he’d challenge them to an arm wrestling contest and let all the children beat him.

Thaddeus: THIS SWEET LITTLE BOY! The second that child cries, he’s there to help. Sometimes he’s the only one who can soothe the kid. It’s like he’s magical or something.

Big James: Oh you know that kid will get their sea legs at a young age. Expect family dinners constantly. FULL family. The Zebedee family is VERY close and won’t miss out on a second of this kid’s life.

John: Just like his older brother, he would teach his kid to fish as soon as he or she could walk. He would also teach his kid to dance by having them stand on his feet. Expect races 24/7 because this is John’s kid. He or she will be fast. Also Zebedee and Salome are there always (bless them)

Judas: He’d be so stressed out, trying to be perfect. Growing up, he never had a father, so when he because one, he had no idea how the concept worked. The thought of his kids feeling alone the way he did as a child scared him to death.

Thomas: His kid is going to be a natural cook. I don’t know why but I’m just getting this feeling that his child will be a culinary prodigy. And smart as HECK too. He’s gonna enjoy teaching his child the art of business and mathematics.

Little James: When he hears the news that he’ll be a father, he is overjoyed. But as time goes in he grows nervous. Yes, he knows his physical disabilities don’t make you, or his friends love him any less, but he doesn’t want his child to go through life like he did. He wants his kid to run and play! But you reassure him that your kid will have the best life because he or she will have an amazing father. When your child was born, he cried tears of joy, thanking God. Little James will 100% be singling this kid to sleep every night.

Simon Z: Watch out because you’re about I have the most athletic child of a lifetime. Simon would teach your kid everything. Fighting, acrobatics, archery, swords techniques (when they’re older of course). When your kid gets hurt or is upset, Zee is right there to lift them up and encourage them. Torah verses will be included (sort of like Mary’s father)

Matthew: This poor boy had a bad experience with his father at childhood, and he’d do anything to protect his child from that. Although physical touch isn’t really his thing, feeling his child’s hand in his own was surprisingly comforting. Sorry mom, your kid’s first words are gonna be “dada”. Matthew will literally cry when he hears it.

Philip: Philip is a traveler, so it’s not uncommon for him to leave on a trip. However, he always makes sure to put family first. When he comes home from his missions, his arms are open wide for his child. He will pick him or her up and spin them around till they both get dizzy.

Nathaniel: Oh man this man’s kid will be an artist and he is there for it all the way. Your kid draws on a spare piece of papyrus? He will put on the wall. Permanently. Your kid comes home with a mud pie? It goes in the art project collection forever. Also man’s gonna have to dial down his sarcasm (even if it’s the brutal truth) when he realizes that his kid made another child in Torah class cry but calling him a “snot face”. Yes, the friend did have a runny nose, but both Nathaniel and his kid learned that sometimes it’s nicer not to say anything at all.

Andrew: So anxiety runs in the family. Fortunately, when his kid is feeling anxious and worried, Andrew knows how to deal with it. Hell sit down, rubbing their back slowly as he retells stores from his time with Jesus.

[holystormfire]

John 1:43-51

'Come and see’ replied Philip

The Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew,

Painted by Jusepe de Ribera (1591 - 1652),

Painted in 1634, Oil on canvas

@ National Gallery of Art, Washington

Gospel Reading

After Jesus had decided to leave for Galilee, he met Philip and said, ‘Follow me.’ Philip came from the same town, Bethsaida, as Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, the one about whom the prophets wrote: he is Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.’ ‘From Nazareth?’ said Nathanael ‘Can anything good come from that place?’ ‘Come and see’ replied Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael coming he said of him, ‘There is an Israelite who deserves the name, incapable of deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ said Nathanael. ‘Before Philip came to call you,’ said Jesus ‘I saw you under the fig tree.’ Nathanael answered, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel.’ Jesus replied, ‘You believe that just because I said: I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ And then he added ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will see heaven laid open and, above the Son of Man, the angels of God ascending and descending.’

Reflection on the painting

Have you ever found yourself responding negatively to a suggestion of someone and then thinking further about it and having a change of mind and heart? I certainly have. Someone makes a suggestion as regards to parish life for example, and initially I respond with maybe little enthusiasm. I can only see the downsides, the problems, the complications, the demands it might make on time, etc... Then over time, I begin to see the suggestion in a different light. The words that that person spoke still linger in my mind and I mull it over. Then I come around to seeing that maybe there is something very worthwhile here after all.

That is exactly what happened to Nathaniel. Philip came up to him to share his enthusiasm for Jesus of Nazareth declaring that he and others had finally found the Messiah that the Jewish Scriptures had foretold. Nathanael’s initial response was dismissive, ‘From Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?’ We can indeed all be prone to dismissing people on the basis of where they are from or where they were brought up or their social background or even the colour of their skin or whatever. However, thanks to the gentle persistence of Philip, ‘Come and see’, Nathanael came to see Jesus and did change his mind! In fact he completely changed, as he gets on declaring ‘You are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel’. Jesus then responds that he hasn't seen anything yet!

The next time we meet Nathanael in this Gospel of John, he is to be among the group of disciples who went back fishing after the crucifixion of Jesus, to whom the risen Lord appeared. Nathanael did indeed see greater things...

When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, where we begin is not so important, because the Lord can always move us on, as long as we are open to being led by him.

Most Bible scholars believe Nathanael and Bartholomew were the same apostles. Our painting by Ribera is a profoundly moving work portraying the apostle's final moments before he is to be flayed alive. His body seemingly bursts through the surface of the canvas. His outstretched arms embrace a mystical light that illuminates his flesh. His piercing eyes, open mouth, and petitioning left hand convey an intense communion with the divine. He was a man who wasn't afraid to change his mind, even to the point of dying...

Article by Father Patrick van der Vorst

[seem0reglass]

Lovely gilt covers....

First one is:

A SKETCH OF ADONIRAM JUDSON, D.D. THE BURMAN APOSTLE. BY DANIEL C. EDDY.

"ART THOU JESUS CHRIST'S MAN?"

LOWELL: NATHANIEL L. DAYTON. 1851.

I dont have the title pg of the red one.