Holy and Glorious Apostle and Evangelist Matthew

On November the 16th, the Holy Orthodox Church commemorates St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist.

This Apostle, who was also called Levi, was the son of Alphaeus and had Galilee as his homeland. A publican before being called by Christ, he became one of the Twelve Apostles, and an Evangelist. While still in Palestine, he wrote his Gospel first in Hebrew, being also the first of all to write the Gospel. When he is depicted in icons, there is portrayed next to him the likeness of a man, one of the symbolic living creatures mentioned by Ezekiel (1.10), which, as Saint Irenaeus writes, is a symbol of our Saviour's Incarnation.

Troparion:

With zeal, you followed Christ the Master,

who in His goodness, appeared on earth to mankind.

Summoning you from the custom house,

He revealed you as a chosen apostle:

the proclaimer of the Gospel to the whole world!

Therefore, divinely eloquent Matthew,

we honor your precious memory!

Entreat merciful God that He may grant our souls remission of transgressions.

Kontakion:

Casting aside the bonds of the custom house for the yoke of justice,

you were revealed as an excellent merchant, rich in wisdom from on high.

You proclaimed the word of truth

and roused the souls of the slothful

by writing of the hour of Judgment.