Matthew was one of Christ's Apostles, and from early times has been regarded as the author of the first of the four gospels of the New Testament. As an evangelist his symbol is a winged man who resembles an angel. His role as a writer is referred to by the attributes of a book, pen and inkhorn.
The saint was a tax collector at Capernaum until he was called from his desk by Christ, whom he followed for the rest of his life (see Matthew 9: 9). According to legend, Matthew was beheaded because of his faith.