St. Matthew (apostle),
born as Levi son of Alphaeus (Gospel by St. Mark), is traditionally believed
to be the author of the first Gospel. Before his vocation he was a tax
collector in Capharnaum. After the scattering of the apostles, St. Matthew
preached in Ethiopia. There he unmasked two magicians, who were worshiped
as gods, triumphed over the magicians' dragons and resurrected the daughter
of King Hegesippus, who was thus converted. He was executed for protesting
against the marriage of King Hirtiacus with his niece Iphigenia, by beheading,
burning at the stake or stoning. Matthew is the patron saint of bankers
and tax officials.
See: Caravaggio The
Martyrdom of St. Matthew, The
Calling of St. Matthew, St.
Matthew and the Angel.
Benozzo Gozzoli. St.Matthew.
The Four Evangelists.
Jan Sanders van Hemessen. Jesus
Summons Matthew to Leave the Tax Office.
Jacob Jordaens. The Four
Evangelists.
Georges de La Tour. St.
Matthew.
Pontormo. St. Matthew
the Evangelist.
Nicolas Poussin. Landscape
with St. Matthew.
Rembrandt. St.
Mathew and Angel.
Recommended reading:
The
Book of Saints: The Lives of the Saints According to the Liturgical Calendar
by George Angelini, Victor Hoagland (Editor). Regina Press, Malhame &
Company, 1986.
365
Saints: Your Daily Guide to the Wisdom and Wonder of Their Lives
by Woodeene Koenig-Brick (Author). Harper SanFrancisco, 1995.
Twelve
Who Followed Jesus by Landrum P. Leavell. Broadman Press, 1975.
The
Galilean Dialogues: On the Road With the Master and the Twelve
by Joe F. Tarpley. Vantage Press, 1994.
Prophets
& Apostles of the Last Dispensation by Lawrence R. Flake.
Deseret Books, 2001.
Voices
from Ancient Bethlehem: A Dialogue With Jesus and the Twelve Apostles
by Scribe. Jodere Group, 2003.
Twelve
Ordinary Men by John MacArthur (Author). W Publishing Group,
2002.
The
Twelve: The Lives of the Apostles After Calvary by Bernard
Ruffin. Our Sunday Visitor, 1998.