Celebrating the Feast of St. Barnabas

The Feast of St. Barnabas is coming up on June 11th. St. Barnabas was a true pioneer of the early church. Although St. Barnabas is not as well known as Peter or Paul, his faithfulness, generosity, and encouragement changed the course of the Church. He reminds us that sometimes the most powerful witness comes not from preaching but from believing in others, walking beside them, and helping them grow in Christ.

St. Barnabas in Scripture

We first meet Barnabas in the Book of Acts. His name was originally Joseph, but the apostles gave him the name Barnabas, meaning “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He was from the tribe of Levi and was born in Cyprus. Barnabas sold a field he owned and gave the proceeds to the apostles to support the early Christian community in Jerusalem. From the very beginning, his life was marked by generosity, self-giving, and a willingness to put himself at the service of others.

That spirit of encouragement would become one of the defining features of his ministry. He played a key role in the life of St. Paul. After Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, the other disciples were understandably hesitant to trust him. It was Barnabas who stepped in, believing Paul’s story, standing beside him, and introducing him to the apostles (Acts 9:27). His willingness to believe in someone others feared helped launch one of the greatest missionary journeys in the Church’s history.

Barnabas was later sent to Antioch to encourage the new Christian community there, and he brought Paul with him. Together, they taught the believers and strengthened the Church. The Church in Antioch would eventually send them with famine relief to Jerusalem and later commission them for their first missionary journey. Barnabas and Paul traveled together through Cyprus and Asia Minor, preaching the Gospel and planting churches.

Eventually, Paul and Barnabas disagreed over whether to bring John Mark on their next journey. Because Mark had previously left them during their work, Paul was reluctant to entrust him with another mission. But Barnabas, true to his name, wanted to give Mark a second chance. The disagreement was strong enough that they parted ways: Paul went one direction with Silas, and Barnabas took Mark back to Cyprus (Acts 15:36–39).

Though this may seem like a sad ending, it led to the expansion of the mission, and we know that Paul and Mark eventually reconciled. Paul even asks for Mark in his letters (2 Timothy 4:11), a quiet testament to Barnabas’ faithful influence.

Tradition holds that Barnabas continued preaching and was eventually martyred in his native Cyprus. He is remembered as a foundational figure in the early Church, one who encouraged the discouraged, stood up for the misunderstood, and built up the body of Christ.

Ways to Celebrate

Read Acts 4:36–37; 9:26–27; and 11:22–30. Spend time reflecting on the life and legacy of Barnabas. Consider reading these passages aloud with your family or during personal prayer, noticing the quiet faithfulness of Barnabas and the ways God used him to encourage others.

Make Haystacks In England, St. Barnabas’ Day fell around the summer solstice, the traditional beginning of the haymaking season. Because of this, he is often depicted holding a hay rake! Farmers would begin cutting and drying hay, and after a hard day’s labor, they’d feast together with joy and music. A sweet way to remember this tradition is to make haystacks, no-bake treats made from butterscotch chips and chow mein noodles that resemble small bundles of hay.

Barnaby bright, Barnaby bright, the longest day and the shortest night.

~ Traditional English saying

Decorate with Woodruff and Roses. English churches were often decorated with woodruff and roses for St. Barnabas’ Day. Woodruff is a delicate, white flowering herb that grows in the forest, beautiful, fragrant, and easy to dry. If you can find it or a similar small white flower, add it to your kitchen table along with some roses in honor of the day.

Make Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake. There’s a charming tradition from Glastonbury, England, that a walnut tree in the abbey churchyard would only bud on St. Barnabas’ Day. Celebrate with a simple Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake, perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea as you remember this faithful saint.

St. Barnabas Day Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake.pages

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Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake

1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour

3⁄4 cup sugar

2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄4 cup butter

3⁄4 cup milk

1 egg

1⁄2 cup brown sugar, packed

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1⁄2 cup finely chopped walnuts

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease and flour a round layer cake pan or a square 8"x 8" or 9"x 9" pan. Blend the first seven ingredients; beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts, and melted butter in a small bowl. Pour half of the cake batter into the pan. Sprinkle half of the brown sugar mixture over the batter.

Pour the remaining cake batter into the pan. Top with the remaining brown sugar mixture.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.