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This 3 1/2" tall pewter figurine is remarkably detailed! From the features on the saint's face, and the folds of the garments to the accessories that tradition commonly associates with this saint. Last but not least the saint's name is inscribed on the base of this sturdy little statue.
About St. Matthew . . . St. Matthew, one of the 12 Apostles, is the author of the first Gospel. He was the son of Alpheus and was called to be an Apostle while sitting in the tax collectors place at Capernaum. Before his conversion he was a publican, i.e., a tax collector by profession. His apostolic activity was at first restricted to the communities of Palestine. Nothing definite is known about his later life. There is a tradition that points to Ethiopia as his field of labor; other traditions make mention of Parthia and Persia. It is uncertain whether he died a natural death or received the crown of martyrdom. St. Matthew's Gospel is given pride of place in the canon of the New Testament, and was written to convince Jewish readers that their anticipated Messiah had come in the person of Jesus.
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