Sunday, September 21 is the Holy Day commemorating St. Matthew -- formerly Levi, born in Galilee, son of Alphaeus, and one of Jesus' disciples. He is also the Apostle for whom the New Testament Book of Matthew is named. It is reported that at the time of his decision to follow Jesus, he was living in Capernaum and working as a tax collector or a
"[receiver] of custom". This job carried no formalized salary; rather, collectors were expected to make their income by cheating those from whom they collected. As a result, tax collectors were social outcasts to be avoided, but it is written that Jesus "dined with tax collectors and sinners" as a matter of course (Matthew 9: 10).
Matthew is recognized as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican denominations. In the West his day is September 21 as mentioned, but in the East -- following the Julian calendar -- his day is observed on November 16. His tomb is found in the crypt of the Cathedral of Salerno in Southern Italy.
You can read more about St. Matthew on
Wikipedia and in
this biographical sketch provided by the
Anglican Society of Archbishop Justus.
You shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem
and in all Judea and Samaria
and to the end of the earth.
- Acts 1:8
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