Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle
The Apostles of Christ are often portrayed carrying some deadly weapons. Put them together and they appear like a bunch of thugs... far from that, the weapons are actually the instruments of their martyrdom, very much like the cross used to crucify Jesus.
St. Bartholomew (Feast Day: August 24) was martyred by being flayed alive, which is why he is often depicted with the knife used to torture him. Sometimes he is depicted as a skinless person holding his, um, skin. Happy feast day!
Artwork: Happy Saints Apostles & Evangelists eBook
