Patron saint of bankers, son of Alphaeus, St. Matthew was one of the 12 Apostles, a key figure in the development of Christianity. He was an odd convert to the cause of Jesus and Christianity. A Roman tax collector who was called into service as Apostle while conducting business at Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. Matthew found his life’s calling in spreading the Gospel across Palestine.
Much of Matthew’s direct apostolic activity took place in Palestine. Other than that, his life is a mystery. However, the Gospel According to St. Matthew is a key part of the Bible. Originally written in Aramaic, his Gospel concerned the importance of Jesus as the son of God.
It’s believed that Matthew’s Gospel was composed sometime from 42 to 50 AD, maybe as late as 70 AD before the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple by the Romans. His feast day is Sept. 21.
