St. Matthew's Memorial Day: The Story of a publican who became an Evangelist

On November 29, Orthodox believers honor the memory of the apostle and Evangelist Matthew, one of Christ's closest disciples and the author of the first Gospel. This day is dedicated to his spiritual achievement and ministry of preaching. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

What a celebration

Before his conversion to the faith, Matthew was a tax collector in Capernaum. According to legend, after meeting Jesus, he left the service and followed him, witnessing many miracles and events both of the Savior's earthly life and everything that happened after the Ascension.

On the day of Pentecost, filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit along with the other apostles, Matthew was sent to preach the Good News to his Jewish compatriots. Therefore, eight years after the Ascension, he was the first to write the Gospel, in which he told about the teachings and deeds of the Savior to the nations, to whom this teaching did not reach during the days of Christ's life on Earth.

Matthew is considered the patron saint of people seeking spiritual renewal, as well as those who work in the field of education and preaching.

In addition, since Matthew was a toll collector before his call to the apostolic ministry, it is believed that he protects everyone involved in finance: tax inspectors, customs officers, bankers, officials and other employees of the financial sector.

Almost nothing is known about Matthew's later life. According to some sources, he preached in Ethiopia, where he was martyred around the year 60; according to others, he was executed for preaching Christianity in the Asian city of Hierapolis. However, according to the so-called Catalan Atlas dated 1375, a building with a cross is depicted on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan, and next to it there is an inscription: "A place called Issyk-Kul. In this place is the monastery of the Armenian brothers, where the body of St. Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist, resides."

According to another version, which is currently the most widespread, the relics of Matthew were brought to the Italian city of Salerno in the 10th century, where they are still located in the local cathedral.

What is the day dedicated to?

The holiday is dedicated to the memory of the preaching ministry of the Apostle Matthew. After the Ascension of Christ, he spread the good news throughout Judea, Syria, Persia, and Ethiopia. It is believed that it was in Ethiopia that he was martyred, refusing to renounce the faith. His relics were later transferred to Constantinople and then to Italy.

This day calls on believers to remember the power of repentance, that even a person immersed in everyday affairs is able to gain spiritual vision and devote his life to serving God and people.

How to celebrate

Solemn divine services are held in churches on this day, and the Gospel of Matthew is read. Believers pray for spiritual enlightenment, ask for help in overcoming doubts and strengthening faith.

Traditionally, believers try to spend the day in meditation, reading the Holy Scriptures and doing good deeds. St. Matthew's Memorial Day inspires those who fast during this period of Christmas to be patient and mentally collected.

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