St Matthew the Apostle
St Matthew is often depicted with a book in his hand, since he wrote the first of the four Gospels.
St Matthew is often portrayed as a human with wings, one of the four gospel symbols. He was born in Galilee early in the first century CE. He worked as a customs officer and tax collector in the city of Capernaum until he was called by Jesus to be an apostle.
There is some disagreement about how St Matthew met his end. He may have been killed while proselytising in Ethiopia, but may also have died a natural death. His relics now lie in Salerno Cathedral in Italy.
The statue
The statue of St Matthew is one of the five original statues that were preserved on the West Front before restoration commenced. It is severely damaged and is currently on display in the Archbishop’s Palace Museum.
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Feast day
21 September
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Attribute
Spear, sword, book, angel.
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Patron saint of
Finance and bank workers, customs officers, money changers, accountants, bookkeepers, and security guards.
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Invoked against
Alcoholism.
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The sculpture
The statue currently adorning the West Front was reconstructed by Stinius Fredriksen and carved by Gunnar Olsen in 1945.
