Nominal icon of Matthew. The name Matthew in the Orthodox calendar (Saints)

On November 29, Orthodox Christians celebrate the day of memory of the Apostle Matthew, the author of the first Gospel. Who was this disciple of Christ? How did he follow Jesus? What was the purpose of writing the Gospel? In what countries did he preach and where did he die? In what city are his holy relics located? What is the custom for an evangelist to pray for? Read more about this.

How Matthew Became an Apostle

Only scant information has come down to our time about who the apostle Matthew was before he followed Christ. Evangelist Luke writes that Matthew's name was Levi and he was a publican - a tax collector for the Roman Empire. As is known, the Jews treated publicans with great contempt, considering them great sinners. But Christ, who came to save by no means the righteous, turned to Levi with the words "Follow Me." And the publican heard the call.

Evangelist Luke describes it this way:

After this, [Jesus] went out and saw a publican named Levi sitting at the tax office, and he said to him, Follow me. And he left everything, got up and followed Him. And Levi made a great feast for him in his house; and there were multitudes of publicans and others who reclined with them (Luke 5:27-29).

How is the Gospel of Matthew different from other Gospel books?

After Pentecost, filled with the Holy Spirit, the apostle went to preach in Palestine. Around this time, Saint Matthew wrote his version of the Gospel at the request of the Jerusalem believers. You can get acquainted with his translation in the section "From Matthew the holy gospel".

good news was addressed to the Jews, as evidenced by the manner of narration. The apostle wrote in Hebrew, paid much attention to recreating the connection with the Old Testament.

That is why quotations are often used in the text. Evangelist showed what she looked like earthly life Savior. The apostle Matthew described three aspects of Christ's ministry:

Prophet;
King over the whole world;
The High Priest who redeemed every person from sins at the cost of His Blood.

Not the original of the Gospel in Hebrew, but a translation into Greek has come down to our time.

Ethiopian Enlightenment

After Palestine, the Evangelist Matthew preached in Syria, Persia, Media, until, according to some sources, he reached Ethiopia. Numerous legends and stories about the saint are connected with this territory.

By his preaching, the apostle converted some Ethiopians to Christianity, then he built a temple and appointed Bishop Plato.

But still the population of the country remained predominantly pagan. Once, when the saint was fervently praying for the conversion of the Ethiopians, the Lord appeared to him and handed him a rod. The staff was to be planted in the ground near the temple. A tree should have grown in this place. unusual fruits, and from the roots of this tree a source will flow. As the legend says, the Ethiopians had to first bathe in this spring, and then taste the fruit of the tree. These symbolic actions would lead people not only to an external, but also an internal change.

How an Ethiopian prince became a saint

With a rod in his hands, the apostle Matthew went to the temple, but on the way he was met by the wife and son of the Ethiopian ruler Fulvian. Mother and son suffered from demon possession, and the evangelist healed them. Seeing the miracle, Fulvian, instead of gratitude, accused the apostle of witchcraft and ordered him to be killed.

The saint was buried in brushwood and set on fire. But the body of the righteous remained unharmed. Many, seeing the miracle, believed and then were baptized. But the ruler did not stop, but ordered to pour resin on top of the brushwood, set it on fire, besides this, surround the saint from all sides with 12 idols. To everyone's surprise and horror, the Apostle Matthew remained unharmed, and the fire destroyed all the gods and burned Fulvian. The ruler was frightened and asked the saint to stop the fire. The saint did just that.

After the experience, the evangelist peacefully rested. Fulvian, on the other hand, could not overcome his doubts. Therefore, he ordered the body of the apostle to be sealed in an iron coffin and floated on water. If he does not sink, but sticks to the shore, Fulvian will undoubtedly believe in the God of Matthew. The very next night, the Evangelist Matthew appeared to Bishop Platon. He demanded to pick up the coffin with his body on the shore. The bishop, together with the ruler and other representatives of the authorities, went to the sea. On the shore they found a coffin.

After this, Fulvian, as best he could, repented of his sin, asked the holy forgiveness. The Lord and the Evangelist Matthew accepted his repentance. Soon Bishop Plato baptized Fulvian. It is interesting that in the sacrament the prince received a new name - Matthew. His life completely changed: he even became a bishop and continued the work of an evangelist - he preached to the Ethiopians.

All this is very reminiscent of fiction, but it turns out that the ruler Fulvian is by no means legendary person. Even the Orthodox calendar testifies to its reality. The Church canonized the saint and honors his memory on the same day together with the Evangelist Matthew.

Where are the relics of the evangelist?

Many believers are wondering: where are the relics of St. Matthew? According to one version, the tomb of the apostle is in Ethiopia. There is a second version, according to which the evangelist was executed on the territory of modern Georgia, in the city of Gonio. He is supposedly buried there.

But the third option is considered the most common: the relics of the saint were taken back in the 10th century to the Italian city of Salerno, where they remain to this day. Many pilgrims specially come to this city to pray at the tomb of the righteous.

What do they pray to the apostle Matthew?

There was an erroneous opinion that the saints have their own specialization: one helps with a headache, the second - to successfully marry, the third - to find a job, the fourth - to give birth to a healthy child.

According to this everyday principle, the Apostle Matthew was called the patron of accountants and financial institutions (he was a publican in his earthly life, he dealt with money!). So what does that mean? If you are a doctor or a teacher, then you have no right to turn to this saint?

This approach is fundamentally wrong. If you want to pray to the Evangelist Matthew, be sure to do so. Saints are not subject to earthly laws, they can do everything that will benefit the person who addresses them.

And you can turn to the Evangelist Matthew in your own words or the text of a special prayer below.

Prayer to the Apostle Matthew

Oh, glorious Apostle Matthew, who betrayed his soul for Christ and fertilized His pasture with your blood! Hear your children prayers and sighs, now offered with a broken heart. Behold, we are overshadowed by lawlessness, and for the sake of misfortunes, like clouds, we will be overlaid, barely a good life, impoverished very much, and we will not be able to resist the predatory wolf, which they boldly strive to plunder the heritage of God. Oh strong! Bear our infirmities, do not leave us in spirit, may we not be separated from the love of God in the end, but protect us with your strong intercession, may the Lord have mercy on all of us for your prayers, may he destroy the handwriting of our immeasurable sins, and may he be blessed with all the Saints Kingdom and marriage of His Lamb, to Him be honor and glory, and thanksgiving and worship, forever and ever. Amen.

We also invite you to watch a video about the life of the saint:

Take it, tell your friends!

Apostle and Evangelist MATTHEW (†60)

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Levi Matthew, son of Alpheus, lived in the Galilean city of Capernaum (small town in Galilee on the northwestern shore of Lake Gennesaret). He was the brother of another apostle, James. He was a wealthy man and held the position of publican (tax collector). His compatriots despised and shunned him, like all his kind. But Matthew, although he was a sinner, was at the same time not only no worse, but much better than the Pharisees, who were proud of their imaginary outward righteousness.

And so the Lord fixed His Divine gaze on this despised publican. Once, during His stay in Capernaum, the Lord left the city and went to the sea, accompanied by the people. On the shore He saw him sitting by the trough (place of collection of duties and taxes) Matthew. And said to him:

Hearing these words of the Lord not only with bodily hearing, but also with the eyes of the heart, the publican immediately got up from his place and, leaving everything, followed Christ. Matthew did not hesitate, was not surprised that Great Teacher and the Wonderworker calls him, the contemptible publican; he listened to His words with all his heart, and unquestioningly followed Christ. In joy, Matthew prepared a great meal in his house. The Lord did not refuse the invitation and entered Matthew's house. And a multitude of his neighbors, friends and acquaintances, all publicans and sinners, gathered in Matthew's house and reclined at the table together with Jesus and His disciples. Some of the scribes and Pharisees also happened to be there.

Seeing that the Lord does not abhor sinners and publicans, but reclining next to them, they murmured and said to His disciples: “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” And the Pharisees were only looking for an opportunity to reproach the Lord for something and condemned the Savior for allegedly violating what is allegedly written in the psalm: "Blessed is the man who does not go to the council of the wicked."

The Lord, having heard their words, said to them: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Matthew 9:13).

"Look, - John Chrysostom says – how the Lord draws a completely opposite conclusion from the words of the Pharisees. They accuse Him of communicating with tax collectors, but He, on the contrary, says that correcting such people is a very important, necessary and worthy of many praise.”

Matthew, realizing his sins, compensated four times for those whom he had previously robbed, distributed the rest of his possessions to the poor, and, together with other apostles, followed Christ.

Of all the twelve disciples, Levi Matthew was one of the most educated - the illiterate would not have been taken to the officials. Matthew's profession required him to be able to speak and write both Aramaic and Greek, and possibly also Latin. And, following Christ, he diligently wrote down His sayings, which later formed the basis of the Gospel of Matthew.

Saint Matthew heeded the instructions of the Divine Teacher, saw His countless miracles, walked with the 12 apostles in Galilee and Judea preaching to the “perished sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:6), witnessed the suffering, death and Resurrection of the Savior and His glorious Ascension On sky.

After the ascension of the Lord and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Saint Matthew first preached in Palestine for 8 years. But now the time has come for the Apostles to disperse from Jerusalem different nations to convert them to the faith of Christ. Before the departure of the Apostle from Jerusalem, Jerusalem Christians from the Jews asked him to betray for them the writings of the deeds and teachings of Jesus Christ. Other Apostles who were in Jerusalem at that time also expressed their consent to the fulfillment of this request. And Saint Matthew, fulfilling the common desire, wrote the Gospel, 8 years after the Ascension of Christ.

Gospel of Matthew was written about A.D. 41. This is the first Holy Book of all the books of the New Testament and therefore occupies the first place among them. Palestine is the place where the gospel was written. The gospel was written in Hebrew, or in the Aramaic dialect then in use, and translated into Greek.

It was originally intended for Palestinian Christians from the Jews. The narratives in the Gospel of Matthew are primarily aimed at showing that Jesus is the true Messiah, promised to the forefathers of the Jewish people, and there will be no other (Matt. 11:3). Therefore, in the Gospel of Matthew, more often than in other Gospels, events from the life of Christ are compared with Old Testament prophecies and foreshadowings, and narratives are selected from the entire history of Christ the Savior that are especially important and necessary for the Jews. Therefore, Matthew begins his Gospel with the genealogy of the Messiah, as the son of David and Abraham, showing that Jesus is not a spirit and not an angel, as some later believed, but the flesh of the flesh of the Israeli people, the continuation of his history and the fulfillment of the promises given to him.

This distinguishing feature Gospels of St. Matthew is also expressed on his icons, on which he is depicted together with an angel-like man, symbolically characterizing the features of his Gospel.

Sermon in Ethiopia

We know about the later life of the apostle himself from church tradition. Departing from Jerusalem, the holy Apostle Matthew went around with the gospel to Syria, Media (current Iran), Persia, Parthia, ending his preaching work with martyrdom in Ethiopia.

This country was inhabited by tribes of cannibals with rude customs and beliefs. The holy apostle Matthew, by his sermon and numerous miracles, converted several idolaters to faith in Christ, founded the Church and built a temple in the city of Mirmena, and appointed his companion named Plato as bishop in it. With himself, he ascended a nearby mountain and remained fasting on it, fervently praying to God for the conversion of that unfaithful people. During the prayer, the Lord Himself appeared to him in the form of a young man and, giving a staff, commanded him to hoist it at the door of the temple. The Lord said that a tree would grow from this rod and bear fruit, and a fountain of water would flow from its root. After bathing in water and eating fruits, the Ethiopians will change their wild disposition and become kind and meek.

Matthew, having received the rod from the hand of the Lord, descended from the mountain and went into the city to fulfill what he was commanded. The ruler of that city, whose name was Fulvian, had a wife and son possessed by demons. Having met the Apostle on the way, they yelled at him with wild, menacing voices. The holy apostle healed them in the name of Jesus Christ. Those who were healed bowed to the Apostle and meekly followed him.

Upon learning of his arrival, Bishop Platon met him along with the clergy. Entering the city and approaching the church, the apostle Matthew did as he was commanded: he set up the rod given to him by the Lord, and immediately, in front of everyone, the rod became a great tree and beautiful fruits appeared on it, large and sweet, and a spring water has flowed from the root. The whole city converged on such a miracle, and they ate the fruits of the tree and drank clean water. And the holy Apostle Matthew, standing on a high place, preached to the assembled people the word of God in their language. This miracle converted many pagans to the Lord.

Death of the Apostle Matthew

Upon learning of what had happened, the local pagan ruler Fulvian at first rejoiced at the healing of his wife and son, but then, according to demonic teaching, he became angry with the Apostle because all the people came to him, leaving their gods, and planned to destroy him. He accused the apostle of witchcraft and ordered his execution. St. Matthew was stretched face down on the ground, covered with brushwood and set on fire. When the fire flared up, everyone saw that the fire did not harm Saint Matthew. Seeing this, all the people were horrified by such a great miracle and gave praise to the God of the Apostle. But Fulvian was even more angry. Not wanting to recognize in what happened the power of God, which kept the preacher of Christ alive and intact from the fire, he accused him of witchcraft. Fulvian ordered more firewood, branches and brushwood to be brought, and Saint Matthew to be doused with pitch and set on fire. In addition, he placed 12 golden idols around the fire, calling them for help, so that by their power Matthew could not get rid of the flame, and would turn into ashes. But the flame melted the idols like wax and scorched Fulvian. The frightened Ethiopian turned to the saint with a plea for mercy, and, through the prayer of the apostle, the flame subsided. His body remained unharmed. Fulvian repented of his deed and wanted to pull the saint out of the fire, but having made a prayer, he delivered his holy soul into the hands of God. According to legend, death Apostle Matthew followed about A.D. 60

Then Fulvian ordered to bring a golden cod and on it to lay the honest body of the Apostle, undamaged by fire, and, dressing him in precious clothes, he raised him together with his nobles and brought him to his palace. Although he repented, he still did not leave his doubts. Therefore, the body of St. Matthew was placed in an iron coffin, tightly filled with tin on all sides, and thrown into the sea. At the same time, Fulvian said that if the God of Matthew preserves the body of the apostle from drowning in water, as he preserved it in fire, then truly He is the One and Almighty God and one should worship Him.

On the same night, the Apostle Matthew appeared to Bishop Plato in a dreamy vision, commanding him to go with the clergy to the seashore and find his body there, brought to land. In the morning, the bishop, accompanied by many believers and the ruler Fulvian with his retinue, went to the place shown and found an iron ark with the relics of the holy Apostle Matthew, as was announced to him in a vision. The coffin carried by the wave was honorably transferred to the temple built by the apostle. Then Fulvian asked the holy Apostle Matthew for forgiveness, after which Bishop Platon baptized him with the name Matthew, which he gave him, in obedience to God's command. Soon Saint Fulvian-Matthew renounced power and became a presbyter. After the death of Bishop Platon, the Apostle Matthew appeared to him and exhorted him to lead the Ethiopian Church. Having accepted the bishopric, Saint Matthew-Fulvian labored hard in preaching the Word of God, continuing the work of his heavenly patron.

Church of St. Apostle and Evangelist Matthew in Solerno (Italy)

The relics of the holy evangelist Apostle Matthew, according to legend, ended up in Lucania in the 10th century. Under the Lombard prince Gizulf I, they were solemnly transferred to Salerno (Italy), where for a thousand years they have been buried in the temple of San Matteo ( Matteo, in Italian, Matthew). Over the past thousand years, the cathedral has been burned many times. The fires of the 16th and 19th centuries were especially terrible, when almost the entire cathedral burned out. But what is surprising is that in all these fires, the holy relics of the Apostle Matthew remained untouched by fire.

The crypt is an underground temple. The relics of Ap. Matthew

In the crypt (underground temple) are the relics of the Holy Apostle Matthew. There are candles on the tomb.

Apostle Matthew in art

The holy apostle and evangelist Matthew was often depicted on icons and works of art.

Bartolozzi, Francesco. Apostle Matthew. Based on a drawing by Guercino (1591-1666).

Saint Matthew and the Angel (Guido Reni. 1635-1640)

Three paintings from the life of the apostle by Caravaggio belong to the outstanding masterpieces of painting.

The symbol of Matthew is the Angel standing behind him (in the beginning they depicted the figure of a man, since the Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Christ as a man).

However, one should distinguish between the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew and the Apostle Matthew (lat. Matthias) because they are often confused. The Apostle Levi Matthew was one of the first to be called, and Matthias the last. Apostle Matthias(Comm. 9 August) by lot took a place among the 12 apostles, instead of the fallen Judas Iscariot. Prior to that, he was one of the 70 disciples of Jesus.

Material prepared by Sergey SHULYAK

for the temple Life-Giving Trinity on Sparrow Hills

Diligently from the tax collector to the caller of the Mistress of Christ, I appear on earth as a man for goodness, following that, the chosen Apostle appeared to you, and the herald of the Gospel of the universe is eloquent: for this we honor your honorable memory, Matthew the God-spoken. Pray to the Merciful God, that forgiveness of sins will give to our souls.

You rejected the ordeal yoke, you harnessed the truth to the yoke, and you appeared to be the most worthy merchant, you brought wealth, wisdom from above: from there you already preached the word of truth, and you lifted up the despondent souls, writing the hour of judgment.

Prayer to the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew:

Oh, glorious Apostle Matthew, who betrayed his soul for Christ and fertilized His pasture with your blood! Hear your children's prayers and sighs, now brought by a broken heart. Behold, we will be darkened without law, and for the sake of troubles, like clouds, we will be overlaid, but we will hardly be able to live a good life, impoverished, and we will not be able to resist the ravenous wolf, even to plunder God's heritage boldly strive. Oh strong! Bear our infirmities, do not leave us in spirit, so that we will not be separated in the end from the love of God, but protect us with your strong intercession, may the Lord have mercy on all of us for your prayers, may the handwriting of immeasurable sins be destroyed by our Lord, and may God bless all of us The kingdom and the marriage of His Lamb, to Him be honor and glory, and thanksgiving and worship, forever and ever. Ah min.

Prayers to the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

TROPARIUS AND KONTAKES TO THE HOLY APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST MATTHEW

Diligently from the tax collector to the one who called the Master of Christ, I appear on earth as a man for goodness, following that, the chosen apostle appeared thou and the herald of the gospel of the universe is eloquent. For this sake, we honor your honorable memory, Matthew the God-speaking, pray to the merciful God, that forgiveness of sins will give our souls.

He rejected the ordeal of the yoke, the truth was attracted to the yoke, and thou art the most worthy merchant, brought wealth, also wisdom from on high. Otonu already preached the word of Truth and moved the despondent souls, writing the hour of judgment.

PRAYER TO THE HOLY APOSTLE MATTHEW

Oh strong! Bear our infirmities, do not leave us in spirit, may we not part the end from the love of God, but protect us with your strong intercession, may the Lord have mercy on all of us for your prayers, may he destroy the handwriting of our immeasurable sins, and may he be blessed with all the Saints Kingdom and marriage of His Lamb, to Him be honor and glory, and thanksgiving and worship, forever and ever. Amen

Saint matthew icon and prayer

Levi Matthew/Apostle MATTHEW THE EVANGELIST

Matthew had a wife and two boys. The future evangelist left his family at his own discretion, as he believed that the family would only interfere with his spiritual growth.

Caravaggio, "The Calling of the Apostle Matthew"

Jesus saw Matthew the tax collector sitting at the toll booth near the city of Capernaum and said to him, “Follow me!” And Matthew, who strongly believed in Jesus, got up and, leaving everything, followed him. He made a great meal in his house for Jesus and the other disciples. Other tax collectors and wealthy people also attended this feast. The scribes and Pharisees murmured and said to Jesus, “Why are you eating and drinking with sinners and tax collectors?”

Jesus answered, “The healthy do not need a doctor; the sick need a doctor. I have come to call to repentance not the righteous, but sinners.”

Six months after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, leaving the Christian community, organized by him, and resigning all powers to the council of the community, Matthew, like all the other apostles, left Judea. He went to Rome with a caravan from India, knowledge of the Indian language helped him to communicate freely with the caravaners. On the way, wherever they stopped, he talked about Jesus, his faith, martyrdom and miraculous resurrection.

After staying in Rome and its environs for about three years Matthew went to Egypt, where he met Egyptian pyramids and the beliefs of the peoples who inhabited this country. The apostle lived in Egypt for more than six years, and here the idea came to him to write everything about Jesus Christ. Matthew had records of Philip, which he kept during the life of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, all the sayings of Jesus were the most accurate. Numerous references were made much later by the Romans. The records were Greek, since Philip did not want someone else to read them. But Matthew knew the language.

For about a year Matthew wrote his Gospel, and eight years after the crucifixion of the Son of God, this book saw the light of day for the first time in the year 37.

After writing the Gospel, Matthew, together with his disciple, a young man from Rome, went to Palestine. This guy was a refugee, he was persecuted for the theft he committed. He confessed everything to Matthew, and he took patronage over him, took care of him in every possible way and protected him.

They spent two years in Persia preaching and healing, and four years in Media. Then Matthew moved to Africa, traveled a lot, learned a lot, got acquainted with African shamans, visited many tribes, and was able to convert some of them to the faith of Christ.

Matthew gave his gospel, with which he never parted, to a disciple who returned to Judea and handed over the records to one of the Christian communities.

- in Orthodox church calendar: November 16/NOVEMBER 29 and June 30/July 13 (Council of the Twelve Apostles);

Frescoes of the upper church of San Francesco in Assisi, vault painting, scene: St. Matthew, detail.

It is considered the patron of accountants, customs officers, all financial services.

Holy place - Russia, Magadan region, Ola village (administrative building local fish farm).

Patronizes - the entire territory located beyond the Arctic Circle, Arkhangelsk region, Yakutia, Kamchatka, Chukotka, Magadan region, Alaska, Yukon province in Canada.

In the prayers of the Apostle Matthew, good relations in the family are asked for advice and love between husband and wife.

Cathedral of the Glorious and All-Praised 12 Apostles. Troparion

The Apostles of the Mother See / and teacher of the universe, / pray to the Lord of all / grant peace to the universe / and great mercy to our souls.

Troparion of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

Zealously from the tax collector to the caller of the Lady Christ, / I appear on earth as a man for goodness, / Following this, the chosen apostle appeared thou / and the herald of the gospel of the universe is well-spoken. / For this we honor your honest memory, Matthew the God-spoken, / pray to the Merciful God, / / yes forgiveness of sins will give to our souls.

Stone Christ of the stone of faith glorifies lightly, / there are many disciples, / and with Paul the whole twelve-tenth council today, / their memory is faithful, / we glorify these glorified.

In Kontakion of the Glorious and All-Praised 12 Apostles

Let us praise Peter, the faithful, the stone of faith, / and Paul the God-wise, / convene for everyone to celebrate by faith, / the council together, all twelve, like preachers of faith, / asking for forgiveness of sins.

Kontakion of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

He rejected the ordeal yoke, / Thou wast attracted to the yoke of truth / and Thou didst appear the most worthy merchant, / Wisdom brought wealth to the south from on high.

Prayer to the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

Oh, glorious Apostle Matthew, who betrayed his soul for Christ and fertilized His pasture with your blood! Hear your children prayers and sighs, now offered with a broken heart. Behold, we are overshadowed by lawlessness, and for the sake of misfortunes, like clouds, we will be overlaid, barely a good life, impoverished very much, and we will not be able to resist the predatory wolf, which they boldly strive to plunder the heritage of God.

Ap. Matthew. Icon. Serbia. The end of the XIII - the beginning of the XIV century. 105 x 56.5. Ohrid. Macedonia.

Deesis with St. Evangelists (detail). Miniature. Byzantium. 12th century Monastery of St. Catherine at Sinai.

Memory Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew takes place in Orthodox Church November 29, according to the new style, as well as July 13, the day of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.

New Testament about the Apostle Matthew
Matthew was one of the twelve closest apostles of Jesus Christ who followed Him in the last three years of His earthly life. The name of the apostle is mentioned in some New Testament books: in the Gospel of Luke and Mark, in the book of Acts, as well as in the first Gospel, the author of which the Church considers St. Matthew himself. Sometimes in the gospel story he is mentioned under the name Levi Alfeev.
It is known from the Gospel that Matthew was a publican, that is, a tax collector in ancient Judea. This position was considered highly shameful among the Jews, since publicans served the Roman emperor and were thus perceived as traitors to the Jewish people. In his gospel, Matthew repeatedly emphasizes his occupation before being called by Christ, which he is believed to have done out of special humility.
Tradition has not conveyed to us any information about the later life of the Apostle Matthew. It is believed that he preached after the Ascension of Christ in Ethiopia, where he was martyred around the year 60.

Gospel of Matthew
Church Tradition calls the Apostle Matthew the author of the first Gospel. The time of writing the book cannot be precisely established, but most researchers are inclined to believe that it was created in the 40-50s. This gospel was originally written in Hebrew, unlike all other New Testament books written in Greek.
The Apostle Matthew addressed his book to the Jewish community, which was clearly reflected in the theological features of his Gospel, the main theme of which was the idea that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah about whose coming the prophets wrote. Matthew assures his readers that Jesus was exactly the One that Jewish society had been waiting for for centuries. Matthew often uses scriptural quotations to support his idea of Jesus' messianic worth as well as his divine origin.
The most important part of the gospel narrative is the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, in which Christ reveals the foundations of His moral teaching. It is believed that the main thoughts of Christianity are concentrated in the Sermon on the Mount, therefore this part of the Gospel of Matthew is the most important for believers.
The Gospel of Matthew also includes a large number of parables dedicated to the teaching of Jesus Christ about the Church as a way of man to salvation, as well as speaking about the end of the world and His Second Coming. Many of the parables recorded by Matthew are preserved only in his Gospel.

Iconic images of the Apostle Matthew
The first icons of the Apostle Matthew appeared quite late, around the 8th century, and on them the saint was depicted as an old man with gray hair. This image was kept long time in Byzantine art. As an evangelist, the holy apostle is depicted with attributes indicating his writing activity, which are a book or a scroll in his hands. On some iconographic images, Matthew is written sitting at a table with a book and a pen in his hand and writing down the words of an angel standing in front of him, who dictates the words of the Gospel to the apostle.
The symbol of St. Matthew is the Angel, since in his Gospel he Special attention devoted to the Incarnation and the fulfillment of the prophecies about the messianic ministry of the Son of God, about which they spoke Old Testament prophets inspired by the messengers of God, the Angels.

Troparion, tone 3:
Diligently from the tax collector to the caller of the Mistress of Christ, I appear on earth as a man for goodness, following that, the chosen apostle appeared thou and the herald of the gospel of the universe is eloquent. For this sake, we honor your honorable memory, Matthew the God-speaking, pray to the Merciful God, that forgiveness of sins will give our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4:
He rejected the ordeal of the yoke, the truth was attracted to the yoke, and thou art the most worthy merchant, wealth brought south from the height of wisdom. Otonu already preached the word of truth and raised up the despondent souls, writing the hour of judgment.

Greatness:
We magnify you the Apostle of Christ Matthew / and we honor your illnesses and labors, / you worked in the image of Christ in the gospel of Christ.

Prayer:
Oh, glorious Apostle Matthew, who betrayed his soul for Christ and fertilized His pasture with your blood! Hear your children prayers and sighs, now offered with a broken heart. Behold, we are overshadowed by lawlessness, and for the sake of misfortunes, like clouds, we will be overlaid, barely a good life, impoverished very much, and we will not be able to resist the predatory wolf, which they boldly strive to plunder the heritage of God. Oh strong! Bear our infirmities, do not leave us in spirit, may we not be separated from the love of God in the end, but protect us with your strong intercession, may the Lord have mercy on all of us for your prayers, may he destroy the handwriting of our immeasurable sins, and may he be blessed with all the Saints Kingdom and marriage of His Lamb, to Him be honor and glory, and thanksgiving and worship, forever and ever. Amen.

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew Levi, son of Alpheus, lived in the Galilean city of Capernaum ( a small town in the Galilee on the northwestern shore of Lake Gennesaret). He was the brother of another apostle, James. He was a wealthy man and held the position of publican ( tax collector). His compatriots despised and shunned him, like all his kind. But Matthew, although he was a sinner, was at the same time not only no worse, but much better than the Pharisees, who were proud of their imaginary outward righteousness.

Publican- a person appointed by the Roman procurator to collect taxes from the Jews ( in the modern sense - a customs officer). The publicans used to take the collection of these duties at their own expense and used all possible measures in order to extract the greatest benefits for themselves. As greedy and impudent agents of the Romans, the publicans were considered by the Jews as traitors and traitors to their country and the Lord God. Sinner, pagan and publican - they meant the same thing; to speak with them was considered a sin, to treat them - a desecration, although among them there were kind and God-fearing people.

Pharisees- one of the Jewish sects that appeared in the II and III centuries. BC The Pharisees got their name (special, separated) from the fact that they tried to distinguish themselves by special zeal for the law.

And so the Lord fixed His Divine gaze on this despised publican. Once, during His stay in Capernaum, the Lord left the city and went to the sea, accompanied by the people. On the shore, He saw Matthew sitting by the purse (a place for collecting duties and taxes). And said to him:

Follow me!

The call of the apostle Matthew

Hearing these words of the Lord not only with bodily hearing, but also with the eyes of the heart, the publican immediately got up from his place and, leaving everything, followed Christ. Matthew did not hesitate, was not surprised that the Great Teacher and Wonderworker was calling him, the contemptible publican; he listened to His words with all his heart, and unquestioningly followed Christ. In joy, Matthew prepared a great meal in his house. The Lord did not refuse the invitation and entered Matthew's house. And a multitude of his neighbors, friends and acquaintances, all publicans and sinners, gathered at Matthew's house and reclined at the table together with Jesus and His disciples. Some of the scribes and Pharisees also happened to be there.

Scribes the Jews were called by the Jews people well-versed in book business in general, somehow the most learned of the Jews, who explained the law and publicly taught and instructed the people in the law, the so-called rabbis and teachers of the law; lawyers who decide contentious issues, doubtful cases and cases requiring knowledge of the law and practical experience; scribes and notaries who served in synagogues and Sanhedrin. Scholars, these Jews are presented in the New Testament as a special class, different from the Pharisees; but at the same time they often unite with the Pharisees, and are brought into contact with the bishops. Most of them were tied to one tradition and, not understanding the spirit of the Law, falsely interpreted it and were blind leaders of the people, hypocritically only fulfilling the commandments for show, for the sake of human glory, and placing heavy burdens on others, which they themselves did not fulfill.

Seeing that the Lord does not abhor sinners and tax collectors, but reclining next to them, they grumbled and said to His disciples: How does He eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"And the Pharisees were only looking for an opportunity to reproach the Lord for something and condemned the Savior for allegedly violating what is allegedly written in the psalm:" Blessed is the man who does not go to the council of the wicked«.

The Lord, having heard their words, said to them: It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance» (Matthew 9:13).

« Look, John Chrysostom says, how the Lord draws the opposite conclusion from the words of the Pharisees. They accuse Him of dealing with tax collectors, but He, on the contrary, says that correcting such people is a matter of great importance, necessary, and worthy of many praises.«

Matthew, realizing his sins, compensated four times for those whom he had previously robbed, distributed the rest of his possessions to the poor, and, together with other apostles, followed Christ.

St. Matthew listened to the instructions of the Divine Teacher, saw His countless miracles, went along with the 12 apostles in Galilee and Judea preaching to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:6), witnessed the suffering, death and Resurrection of the Savior and His glorious Ascension On sky.

After the ascension of the Lord and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Saint Matthew first preached in Palestine for 8 years. But now the time has come for the Apostles to disperse from Jerusalem to different peoples, in order to convert them to the faith of Christ. Before the departure of the Apostle from Jerusalem, Jerusalem Christians from the Jews asked him to betray for them the writings of the deeds and teachings of Jesus Christ. Other Apostles who were in Jerusalem at that time also expressed their consent to the fulfillment of this request. And Saint Matthew, fulfilling the common desire, wrote the Gospel, 8 years after the Ascension of Christ.

This distinctive feature of the Gospel of St. Matthew is also expressed on his icons, on which he is depicted together with an angel-like man, symbolically characterizing the features of his Gospel.

Sermon in Ethiopia

We know about the later life of the apostle himself from church tradition. Departing from Jerusalem, the holy Apostle Matthew went around with the gospel to Syria, Media ( current Iran), Persia, Parthia, ending his preaching work with martyrdom in Ethiopia.

This country was inhabited by tribes of cannibals with rude customs and beliefs. The holy apostle Matthew, by his sermon and numerous miracles, converted several idolaters to faith in Christ, founded the Church and built a temple in the city of Mirmena, and appointed his companion named Plato as bishop in it. He himself ascended a nearby mountain and remained fasting on it, fervently praying to God for the conversion of that unfaithful people. During the prayer, the Lord Himself appeared to him in the form of a young man and, giving a staff, commanded him to hoist it at the door of the temple. The Lord said that a tree would grow from this rod and bear fruit, and a fountain of water would flow from its root. After bathing in water and eating fruits, the Ethiopians will change their wild disposition and become kind and meek.

Upon learning of his arrival, Bishop Platon met him along with the clergy. Entering the city and approaching the church, the apostle Matthew did as he was commanded: he set up the rod given to him by the Lord, and immediately, in front of everyone, the rod became a great tree and beautiful fruits appeared on it, large and sweet, and a spring water has flowed from the root. The whole city converged on such a miracle, and they ate the fruits of the tree and drank pure water. And the holy Apostle Matthew, standing on a high place, preached to the assembled people the word of God in their language. This miracle converted many pagans to the Lord.

Death of the Apostle Matthew

Ethiopia- one of African countries where Christianity is the main religion. There, already in the 5th century, the Bible was translated into the local language. Ethiopian Christians cherish the memory of the Apostle Matthew, their first evangelist.

Church of St. Apostle and Evangelist Matthew in Solerno (Italy)

Basilica of San Matteo, Salerno (Italy)

The relics of the holy evangelist Apostle Matthew, according to legend, ended up in Lucania in the 10th century. Under the Lombard prince Gizulf I, they were solemnly transferred to Salerno (Italy), where for a thousand years they have been buried in the temple of San Matteo (Matteo, in Italian, Matthew). Over the past thousand years, the cathedral has been burned many times. The fires of the 16th and 19th centuries were especially terrible, when almost the entire cathedral burned out. But what is surprising is that in all these fires, the holy relics of the Apostle Matthew remained untouched by fire.

The crypt is an underground temple. The relics of Ap. Matthew

In the crypt (underground temple) are the relics of the Holy Apostle Matthew. There are candles on the tomb.

Tomb of the Holy Apostle Matthew

Apostle Matthew in art

The holy apostle and evangelist Matthew was often depicted on icons and works of art.

Bartolozzi, Francesco. Apostle Matthew. Based on a drawing by Guercino (1591-1666).

Saint Matthew and the Angel (Guido Reni. 1635-1640)

Three paintings from the life of the apostle by Caravaggio belong to the outstanding masterpieces of painting.

Caravaggio. Apostle Matthew and Angel

The symbol of Matthew is the Angel standing behind him (in the beginning they depicted the figure of a man, since the Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Christ as a man).

However, one should distinguish between the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew and the Apostle Matthias (lat. Matthias), since they are often confused. The Apostle Levi Matthew was one of the first to be called, and Matthias the last. The Apostle Matthias (Comm. 9 August) by lot took a place among the 12 apostles, instead of the fallen away Judas Iscariot. Prior to that, he was one of the 70 disciples of Jesus.

Troparion, tone 3:
Diligently from the tax collector to the caller of the Mistress of Christ, I appear on earth as a man for goodness, following that, the chosen Apostle appeared to you, and the herald of the Gospel of the universe is eloquent: for this we honor your honorable memory, Matthew the God-spoken. Pray to the Merciful God, that forgiveness of sins will give to our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4:
You rejected the ordeal yoke, you harnessed the truth to the yoke, and you appeared to be the most worthy merchant, you brought wealth, wisdom from above: from there you already preached the word of truth, and you lifted up the despondent souls, writing the hour of judgment.