St. Matthew the Evangelist
St. Matthew, also called Levi, was a tax collector at Capernaum whom Christ summoned from the custom house with the words "Follow Me," making him one of the Twelve Apostles.
He wrote the first Gospel, composed originally for the Hebrew Christians of Palestine, proclaiming Jesus as the promised Messiah. After preaching in Palestine following Pentecost, he carried the Gospel to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, and Ethiopians, where he was martyred by fire, according to tradition around the year 60, his death moving the local ruler Fulvian to repent, be baptized with the name Matthew, and serve the Church as a presbyter and later as a bishop.
No recorded sayings. Read the Life to meet this saint.
Troparion · Tone 3
With zeal, you followed Christ the Master, who in His goodness, appeared on earth to mankind. Summoning you from the custom house, He revealed you as a chosen apostle: the proclaimer of the Gospel to the whole world! Therefore, divinely eloquent Matthew, we honor your precious memory! Entreat merciful God that He may grant our souls remission of transgressions.
Kontakion · Tone 4
Casting aside the bonds of the custom house for the yoke of justice, you were revealed as an excellent merchant, rich in wisdom from on high. You proclaimed the word of truth and roused the souls of the slothful by writing of the hour of Judgment.
Saints around November 16
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