20/09/2026
Happy Feast day Grade 7 St. Matthew. Saint Matthew, also known as Levi, was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and is traditionally recognized as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. Before abandoning his livelihood to follow Christ, he worked as a publican (tax collector) in Capernaum. This profession made him deeply unpopular and despised as a traitor by his fellow Jews, who viewed tax collectors as corrupt collaborators with the occupying Roman Empire. The Calling of Matthew According to the New Testament, Jesus noticed Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth and simply said, "Follow me". Matthew immediately left everything behind to follow Him. He then hosted a grand dinner at his home for Jesus, inviting other tax collectors and "sinners". When the Pharisees criticized Jesus for associating with such people, Jesus famously responded: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick... I came not to call the righteous, but sinners". Feast Days: Celebrated on September 21 in Western Christian traditions (Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican) and November 16 in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Patronage: Because of his past profession, he is the patron saint of accountants, bankers, tax collectors, bookkeepers, and financial workers.Symbol: In Christian art, he is traditionally symbolized by a winged man or an angel. This is because his Gospel begins with the human genealogy of Jesus, emphasizing Christ's incarnation and humanity.Later Life & Legacy: Following the Ascension and Pentecost, tradition holds that he preached throughout Judea before traveling to regions such as Ethiopia, Persia, or near the Caspian Sea. Accounts of his death vary; some traditions state he died peacefully in his old age, while others hold that he was martyred for his faith. His relics are housed in the crypt of the Salerno Cathedral in southern Italy.
