Church holiday November 29 – to whom do believers pray, signs of the day

What can be done on November 29, and what is strictly forbidden by the Church – read in the TSN.ua article.

Orthodox holiday November 29 – the day of memory of the Apostle Matthew

November 29 is celebrated memory of the apostle Matthew. What do we know about this day?

The apostle’s full name is Levi Matthew. “Matthew” is translated as “Gift of the Lord”, “Levi” – indicates that his lineage came from the Levites – choristers of the Jewish temple of the Old Testament. Matvii had a good education, knew how to count, write, and think analytically.

Before meeting Christ, Levi Matthew was a publican – a tax inspector who collected tribute from the Jews for the Romans. The Jews hated and despised the tax collectors, who not only collected tribute for the invaders but also demanded a large portion for themselves.

Apostle Matthew and Jesus Christ

As mentioned in the Gospel, when Jesus saw Matthew, He simply said: “Follow me”, after which Matthew left his work and followed Christ.

According to legend, he returned money to people, served them with good deeds to restore his good name, otherwise he simply would not have been able to preach in Palestine.

Subsequently, the apostle Matthew preached in Syria, Persia and Ethiopia, where he died, tortured by pagan cannibals. The relics of the Apostle Matthew have been in the Italian town of Salerno since the 10th century.

Why the Gospel of Matthew is the first

In the book of the Gospels – the good news about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ – the Gospel from Matthew is the first. It begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ, where Matthew mentions all the ancestors of Christ by name.

Genealogy has always been of great importance to the Jews, and it was important for the apostles to prove to the people of Israel that Jesus Christ is from the oldest and greatest Jewish family. That is why the book stands first.

What should be done today

If it is not possible to come to the service on this day, then you need to pray at home to the Apostle Matthew. And also – to read the Gospel from Matthew – as a tribute to the great saint and his works.

In general, it is considered very useful on the day of honoring the saint to read his works, listen to akathists and what “Lives of the Saints” says about him.

Prayer to the holy apostle Matthew

Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, pray to the Merciful God and do not leave sin in our souls.

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