Barnabas (Byzantium!)


 * Not to be confused with Barnabus.

 was a Jewish priest — and, according to Amos, a prophet — who converted to Christianity in the 1st century, and was instrumental to the early attempts to spread the influence of the then-new religion. Towards this end, he travelled throughout the Mediterranean Roman Empire with Paul, Luke, Mark of Jerusalem and Timothy. He was Mark's cousin, and once went off on a side trip with Mark to Cyprus, when Mark's relationship with Paul was strained. This time apart proved useful, and soon Mark, Paul and Barnabas formed a missionary "core" that proved largely inseperable. (PDA: Byzantium!)