{"id":"st-matthew-apostle","name":"St. Matthew","title":"Evangelist and Apostle","knownFor":"Tax Collector Turned Evangelist, Author of First Gospel","feastDay":"September 21","lifespan":"1st Century AD","patronOf":"Accountants, Bankers, Tax Collectors, Perfumers","shortBio":"A despised tax collector named Levi who left everything to follow Jesus. He wrote the Gospel emphasizing Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy and was martyred while celebrating Mass in Ethiopia.","fullBio":"Matthew, also called Levi, son of Alphaeus, worked as a publican (tax collector) in Capernaum, a profession that made him wealthy but despised by fellow Jews as a traitor collaborating with Roman oppressors. His life changed when Jesus passed his tax booth and simply said, 'Follow me.'\n\nMatthew immediately abandoned his lucrative position, hosting a great feast to celebrate his new life. When Pharisees criticized Jesus for dining with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus responded: 'I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' Matthew's conversion powerfully demonstrated that no one is beyond God's mercy.\n\nAs an apostle, Matthew witnessed Christ's ministry, death, and resurrection. His background as a tax collector, requiring literacy in multiple languages and attention to detail, equipped him to write the first Gospel. Written primarily for Jewish Christians, it contains over 60 Old Testament citations, presenting Jesus as the promised Messiah.\n\nMatthew's Gospel uniquely preserves Jesus's teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven, including the Sermon on the Mount, numerous parables, and the Great Commission. It emphasizes the Church's authority and mission, making it the liturgical Gospel for centuries.\n\nAfter Pentecost, tradition says Matthew preached in Judea before traveling to Ethiopia (possibly south of the Caspian Sea). There he performed miracles including raising the king's daughter from death. He was martyred around 74 AD, killed by sword while celebrating Mass after denouncing the king's pursuit of a consecrated virgin.\n\nHis symbol is a winged man or angel, representing his Gospel's opening genealogy showing Christ's human ancestry. His relics are venerated in Salerno Cathedral, Italy. Matthew's transformation from publican to apostle continues to inspire those seeking redemption.","miracles":["Raised the daughter of the Ethiopian king from death","Defeated pagan magicians in spiritual combat","His Gospel preserved through divine protection","Appeared in visions to guide the Church","Protected Salerno from pirate attack in 1544 through intercession","Numerous conversions in Ethiopia through his preaching","Miraculous knowledge enabling him to write his Gospel"],"imageUrl":"https://page.gensparksite.com/v1/base64_upload/1962ecfdab6ee265c63df1d73d5a27e6","imageAttribution":"The Inspiration of Saint Matthew by Caravaggio (1602). Contarelli Chapel, Rome, Italy. Oil on canvas","orderByDate":74}