Saint Matthew the Apostle

Saint Matthew the Apostle

Born: 1st century AD in Capernaum

Died: 74 AD, near Ethiopia

Canonized: Pre-Congregation

Feast day: 21 September

Attributes: Angel, Pen and Scroll

Patronage: Accountants, bankers; tax collectors, perfumers, civil servants

Apostle, Evangelist, and Martyr

Matthew the Apostle was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and one of the four Evangelists. Therefore, he is also known as Matthew the Evangelist.

Matthew was a customs tax collector when he accepted Jesus’ call to be an apostle. After having a meal with Jesus at his home, the scribes and Pharisees criticized the fact that Jesus had sat down with someone who was a tax collector and sinner. To which Jesus replied: “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Matthew was martyred in 74 AD. His relics are at Salerno, Italy.