The selected text, **S. Matthaei Apostoli et Evangelistae**, refers to **Saint Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist**. Saint Matthew is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. His feast day is celebrated on **September 21st** in the Western Christian tradition. Saint Matthew is often depicted with a winged man or angel, symbolizing his role as an evangelist.
Saint Matthew, also known as Matthew the Apostle or Matthew the Evangelist, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. He is traditionally regarded as the author of the **Gospel of Matthew**.
### Early Life and Calling
- **Occupation**: Before following Jesus, Matthew was a **tax collector** (or "publican"), a profession that was reviled in ancient Judaism.
- **Call by Jesus**: Jesus called Matthew to follow him, and he immediately left his tax booth to become one of Jesus' disciples.
### Ministry and Gospel
- **Gospel of Matthew**: Matthew is credited with writing the Gospel of Matthew, one of the four canonical gospels in the New Testament.
- **Evangelist**: As an evangelist, Matthew's gospel focuses on the teachings and life of Jesus, emphasizing Jesus' role as the Messiah and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
### Symbol and Patronage
- **Symbol**: Matthew is often symbolized by a **winged man or angel**, representing his role as an evangelist.
- **Patronage**: He is considered
the patron saint of **tax collectors, accountants, and customs officers**.
### Death and Feast Day
- **Martyrdom**: According to tradition, Matthew was martyred for his faith, although the exact details of his death are uncertain.
- **Feast Day**: Saint Matthew's feast day is celebrated on **September 21** in the Western Christian tradition.
Saint Matthew's contributions to Christianity, particularly through his gospel, have had a lasting impact on the faith and its teachings.
(1) Who Was Matthew the Apostle? The Beginner’s Guide. https://overviewbible.com/matthew-the-apostle/.
(2) Saint Matthew - New World Encyclopedia. https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Saint_Matthew.
(3) Matthew the Apostle - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_the_Apostle.
(4) Saint Matthew | History, Facts, Feast Day, & Death | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Matthew.
