The New Testament shows Christians not only the life path of the Lord Jesus Christ and His relationship with the apostles and people, but also how the Church was formed in the first centuries of its existence. The disciples of Christ, who were the first to decide to follow Him as King and Messiah, are canonized by the Church as saints.
Particularly noteworthy among them is Matthew, a former tax collector, a man despised by everyone, who today acts as an intercessor before Christ for all who turn to him with prayers.
Life of the Apostle Matthew
Before his conversion to Christ, Matthew was a publican, that is, a tax collector for the Roman rulers. His profession made him hated by Jews and a despised member of society. When Jesus approached him and said, “Follow me,” the tax collector left his position and became a grateful disciple of the Savior. He constantly followed him throughout his earthly life.
Being literate, Matthew kept records of what happened to the Lord and his disciples. After Jesus ascended into heaven, Matthew went to preach in Palestine. But after that, he temporarily left preaching and lived for 6 years in Egypt, where, based on his own notes and the records of the Apostle Philip, he wrote the Gospel of Matthew, which today is the beginning of the New Testament. It was he who became the author of the first Gospel, which tells about the life of Jesus Christ.
After this, the Apostle Matthew went again to preach in the Arab countries, where to this day there are still people who believe in Christ. And Matthew spent the last years of his life in Ethiopia, preaching among tribes of cannibals, who were the most convinced pagans, worshiping idols, making bloody sacrifices to them.
He managed not only to convert many idolaters to the faith of Christ, but also to build a temple in the city of Mirmena. There, during fervent prayer, the Lord appeared to Matthew and gave him a rod. The Apostle placed this rod at the temple, as the Lord commanded. A tree grew from the rod, and a source of water began to flow from its roots. Of course, such miracles converted many pagans to faith, because the apostle also healed the sick and infirm.
But the ruler Fulvian did not want part of his power over the population to pass to the priests and, seizing Matthew, ordered him to be burned. But the fire could not damage the body of the martyr at the stake. Then they doused it with resin and placed it around the fire of idols so that the flame inside would be hotter. But the fire melted the idols and spread to the ruler. He began to scream and beg Matthew for help. And through the prayer of the saint, the flame went out. The body of the holy apostle remained unharmed, and he departed to the Lord (60).
But the ruler was not convinced of this either, but ordered the martyr’s body to be sealed in a steel coffin and thrown into the sea. He said that if God preserved Matthew's body, then this One True God should be worshiped. But at night he dreamed of Matthew, who indicated the place where the coffin was located on the shore. After this, his body was brought with honor to the temple, where Fulvian sincerely accepted the faith, was baptized and subsequently became a bishop preaching Christianity.
Levi Matthew who is this? Matthew is a holy apostle and evangelist. Photo icons
Born in the 1st century. (Israel), was the brother of the Apostle James Alpheus. He was also called Levi Alfeev (after his father - Alfey). The details of his biography have not survived to this day; only one fact is known - his occupation. Before meeting Jesus, Matthew was a tax collector - he collected taxes from the Jews, for which he was judged by many and experienced the contempt of others. Levi was appointed publican by decree of the Romans (he served the occupation regime). Such a profession was reproached by people, but it was necessary for the functioning of the state. The main reason for the discontent was the fact that Matthew was profiting from his compatriots.
During his lifetime (when he worked as a publican), the holy apostle was a wealthy man. However, he left all his possessions when he followed Jesus. Matthew later became the author of the Gospel, which is the first in the Holy Scriptures.
There are different icons of the saint. Most often he is depicted with a book, with his gaze turned to the pages. Sometimes Matthew is depicted in full growth, but even then he is busy with the same thing - reading a book. In one of the miniatures the Saint is shown accompanied by an angel.
You can recognize the icon by its outfit -
The clothes are depicted in red and green colors; Lik can be recognized from the photo.
It is believed that Matthew wrote the Gospel in Palestine (later a translation into Greek appeared). At the time when the scriptures were created, there was already an idea of the Messiah among the people. When reading the Gospel, you can be convinced that Jesus Christ is the true and only messiah. His appearance was predicted by the prophets.
The Gospel contains 3 sections, each corresponding to the side of the ministry of the Son of God: as the ruler of the visible and invisible world, prophet and lawgiver, high priest. In addition, the theological content includes the teaching of the Church, the Kingdom of God, as well as signs that distinguish those who believe and will be close to the Lord after death.
In the Gospel
much attention is paid to the Kingdom of God.
Moreover, it is closely connected with the Church. Moreover, the last of the spiritual organizations represents the embodiment of the Kingdom of God. The modern image of the Church has already moved far away from the ideas of the Saint. But the Gospel describes numerous virtues of the servants of the Kingdom, signs of its formation in the soul.
How do prayers to a saint help?
Every Orthodox Christian is familiar with the name Matthew, but few pray to him personally, although prayers to the Apostle Matthew the Evangelist have enormous power. People ask him for help in their work, for success in handling finances. And, of course, you need to pray to the Holy Apostle for deliverance from troubles, misfortunes, for the salvation of the soul and forgiveness of sins.
When to read
God's saints are mediators between people and the Lord. Each of the saints has a special grace that enhances God's blessing and speeds up the solution of problems.
Saint Matthew was a publican during his lifetime, and therefore even after his death he provides special patronage to employees of various financial services:
- tax;
- customs;
- bank employees;
- accountants.
Entrepreneurs and sellers often turn to the saint.
They resort to reading the akathist to the saint:
- if problems arise with taxes or with doing business;
- during conflict situations with superiors and colleagues;
- while looking for a new job.
Prayer chants also help prevent theft and avoid large financial losses. Thanks to the apostle, it is possible to find a solution to the problem and avoid possible serious consequences.
Before his conversion to Christianity, Saint Matthew was a sinner. Therefore, he is often asked to cleanse the soul. The repentant requests of the sinner through the mediation of the Heavenly Patron will be more likely to be heard by the Lord.
Texts of prayers to the Apostle Matthew
Troparion, tone 3
Diligently from the tollhouse to the one who called the Lord Christ, / I appear on earth as a man for goodness, / Having followed this, the chosen apostle appeared to you / and the evangelist of the Gospel of the universe has been proclaimed. For the sake of honoring your honest memory, Matthew the God-speaking, / pray to the merciful God, / / yes He will give remission of sins to our souls.
Translation: Diligently from collecting taxes, having followed the Lord Christ who called you, who appeared on earth to people through goodness, you became His chosen Apostle and a loud proclaimer of the Gospel of the universe. Therefore we honor your sacred memory, Matthew the Theologian; pray to the merciful God that He will grant forgiveness of sins to our souls.
Kontakion, tone 4
You rejected the ordeal yoke,/ you were attracted to the yoke of truth,/ and you appeared as a merchant of all kinds,/ you brought wealth, and from the heights wisdom./ You preached the word of truth. ,/ and you raised up sad souls,// having written the hour of judgment.
Translation: Throwing away the yoke of ordeal, you submitted to the yoke of righteousness and turned out to be an excellent merchant, receiving wealth - heavenly wisdom. That is why you proclaimed the word of truth and awakened careless souls by writing about the hour of judgment.
Prayer
Oh, glorious Apostle Matthew, who gave up his soul for Christ and fertilized His pasture with your blood! Hear your children's prayers and sighs, now offered by a contrite heart. Because we are darkened by lawlessness, and for this reason we are surrounded by troubles, like clouds, but despite the good life we are so poor, and we are not able to resist the predatory wolf who will plunder us from here on out. The things of God strive boldly. Oh, strong one! Bear our infirmities, do not leave us in spirit, so that we may not be separated from the love of God in the end, but protect us with your strong intercession, may the Lord have mercy on us all for your prayers, may the handwriting of our immeasurable sins be destroyed, and may the blessed be blessed with all the Saints To the kingdom and marriage of His Lamb, to Him be honor and glory, and thanksgiving and worship, forever and ever. Amen.
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Martyrdom of Saint Matthew
There is a painting by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio with the same name. It depicts the plot of the death of Matthew. It is known that the Saint traveled a lot, bringing the Good News everywhere. One day, at the direction of the Holy Spirit, he went to the city of Myrmene, where cruel people lived. Here the apostle founded a church and attracted several people to Orthodoxy. During prayer, Christ appeared, he gave Matthew a rod and ordered him to place it at the entrance. When the order was carried out, a tree with fruits grew before the eyes of the city residents.
From that moment on, people came to the temple
received the baptism of the Apostle Matthew.
The number of believers in Christ increased. When rumors about the deeds reached the ruler Fulvian, he ordered Matthew to be taken to the palace. However, neither the first nor the second attempt was crowned with success: first the city was covered in pitch darkness, then - a bright light. The third time, the ruler brought the apostle to his palace by cunning, and then ordered his execution.
However, when trying to light a fire, nothing worked. The flame went out. Then the ruler ordered the supply of resin, but this did not lead to the desired result. Resin splashed onto the ruler's servants. Then he became convinced that Matthew’s strength was great and began to ask for mercy. The ruler released the apostle. Thus the martyrdom of the Saint ceased.
But he soon died by the will of God,
I only managed to pray before dying.
The cruel ruler soon believed in Christ. He came to Matthew’s associate, Plato, who at the same time served the church created by the apostle in this city. Fulvian asked to be baptized. Plato, seeing the sincerity of the ruler, agreed. But even here a miracle happened: during the ceremony, the Lord appeared and ordered the new believer to be named Matthew. Soon the ruler gave up everything he had and began to resemble the apostle in everything. All his life he prayed for people, was elevated to presbyter, and became a bishop instead of Plato after the death of the latter.
Matveevsky gatherings
Matveev's Day in Rus' always coincided with the beginning of the Nativity Fast, but this did not interfere with such a custom as visiting. The food on the tables was fast, especially on Wednesdays and Fridays, the strictest days of fasting. But asceticism in food was compensated by intimate conversations. Such events were called Matveevsky gatherings. Our ancestors had a saying:
Hood Matvey, if he did not treat the guests.
At such gatherings there was no place for alcoholic drinks, but their replacement was hot whipped wine, which perfectly suited the autumn weather. There were a huge number of recipes for sbiten. But its constant ingredient was honey. There were also other additives in the form of spices, for example, cinnamon, bay leaf, cloves, wild medicinal herbs (oregano, St. John's wort, thyme, mint).
There was a custom according to which mirrors were wiped after unwanted guests left. They also washed the floors and the front door. This had to be done as quickly as possible, when the trail was still wet. It was believed that after such manipulations these unpleasant people would not set foot in the house.
In a situation where some person was really expected, but could not wait, the following actions were performed. A pin was stuck into the handle of the broom from above and placed next to the entrance to the house. This ritual was supposed to make the late guest hurry up.
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Folk signs
There were a number of signs about Matvey:
- If the day on Matvey turns out to be cold, then severe winter will come. With warm and rainy days, you can hope for a mild and warm winter.
- The snow that fell on this day will not melt until the flood.
- The wind blows with great force - strong snowstorms will accompany the winter.
- Cold weather should be expected soon if the clouds are floating low in the sky.
- To make a strong wind subside, you need to throw a pinch of raw cereal in the direction of its movement.
- People born on November 29 will face difficult challenges, which they will overcome with honor. Their lucky stone is lapis lazuli.
On this day, the prayer to Matthew, the apostle and evangelist, is especially powerful.
How to read prayers to the apostle and why? What to ask for?
You can find the icon of the apostle in different churches: in the city of Sudak - the temple of the same name, St. John the Baptist Monastery. The fresco of the Saint by Andrei Rublev is located in the Assumption Cathedral. First of all, it is believed that the prayer to Matthew ascends and helps solve problems for those people whose work is related to finance.
Success can await
sellers, accountants, economists, if they pray to the apostle.
When reading the prayer text, you can expect help: theft will be prevented, the reader of the sacred text will avoid major losses. Problems with unemployment will also be solved if the person asking turns to the Holy Apostle Matthew. However, the righteous person is close to the Lord, so saying a prayer will provide a good result in solving other problems.
When reading, you need to follow the recommendations:
- If possible, you should read a prayer to the Apostle Matthew, the patron saint of the needy, in front of the image, there are different icons, you can purchase a small icon;
- it is necessary to ask the Hieromartyr Matthew sincerely;
- it is important to exalt the Holy Name of the Apostle, to thank for the help and invisible presence in this world as the Lord’s helper;
- repentance is a necessary condition: if the person praying does not repent of his sins, but decides to ask for welfare, the Holy Apostle Evangelist Matthew will not provide assistance.
Thaw on Matvey
Despite the fact that November 29 is the eve of the onset of calendar winter, the weather on this day was not constant. I clearly didn’t want to give up my rights completely to the winter cold of autumn. The peasants noticed that during Matvey thaws were frequent, although not very long.
Hence the popular saying that on this day winter sweats and the earth rots. It was believed that the winter would be more severe the stronger the thaw on Matvey.
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My prayer “My story of asking for health”
«Like many people with serious illnesses, I turned to the Lord. I started reading the Gospel, and then became interested in the life of the author of one of the four scriptures - Matthew. For some reason I believed that he would help, this thought just came to me. From then on, she perceived him as her patron. I read the Bible, then the Lindisfern Gospel, which contains the texts of Matthew, and then the biography of the apostle. I tried to be religious - I tried to read the original version, but I didn’t understand anything, which is natural.
Ekaterina, St. Petersburg:
In these concerns about education, she successfully completed a course of treatment. I received permission from the doctor to remove the tumor. Before the operation, I read the prayer of the Gospel of Matthew, a description of the life of the saint, short and full versions of the sacred texts. Everything went well. But I continue to honor the apostle after recovery, celebrate name days and go to church. I dream of seeing the relics of a saint ».
