Apostle Matthew

The Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, also called Levi, was the brother of Apostle James son of Alphaeus. Before his calling he served as a publican — a tax collector for Rome in Capernaum of Galilee, for which he was despised by his countrymen as a "sinner" and collaborator with the occupiers. Hearing Christ's call, "Follow Me," he immediately left his occupation and followed the Savior, arranging a great feast for Him to which he invited his fellow publicans. After Pentecost he preached in Judea, then in other countries, according to tradition reaching Ethiopia and Persia, where he was martyred. He wrote the first of the four canonical Gospels — in Hebrew (Aramaic) for those who believed from among the Jews, wishing to show in Jesus Christ the Messiah promised by the prophets. His memory is kept on November 16/29, as well as June 30/July 13 in the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles.