Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

Matthew, called Levi in the Gospels of Mark and Luke, was a tax collector at Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus called him from his tax booth with the words “Follow me”, and Matthew left everything and followed, then gave a banquet at his house; he became one of the Twelve. The first Gospel is traditionally ascribed to him.

Tradition adds that he preached in Judea and then in other lands, including Ethiopia. His Life tells that he was condemned by a prince named Fulvian after curing the prince's wife and son, and that his body was sealed in an iron coffin and thrown into the sea, but was found on shore. He is remembered as having died about the year 60.