Apostle
Evangelist Matthew
Apostle and Evangelist Matthew
New Calendar November 16 Old Calendar November 29
Why they are a saint
He was a Galilean, the son of Alphaeus, and was originally named Levi. He was a tax-collector (an occupation despised by the Jews of Palestine) until he met the Lord, who said to him, “Follow me.” From that day he was one of the disciples. After the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Apostle was appointed to bring the Gospel to his fellow Jews, for whom, according to the Church’s tradition, he wrote down the Gospel for the first time, in the Aramaic language, eight years after the Ascension.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Evangelist Matthew as a patron when they bear the name and at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on November 16. As an apostle, he is also asked to pray for missionaries and those who spread the Gospel.
Prayer
O holy Evangelist Matthew, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.