What happened to Saint Matthew?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist

St. Matthew, also known as Levi, was a tax collector before being called by our Lord. According to Coptic tradition and hagiography:

• Preaching: After the Ascension of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit, St. Matthew preached the Gospel in Palestine and then traveled to Ethiopia (and parts of Persia/Parthia).
• Martyrdom: He was martyred in Ethiopia. The accounts state that he was pinned to the ground and beheaded or, according to some traditions, burned at the stake by a king named Fulvianus. However, the king later repented, was baptized, and took the name Matthew himself after witnessing miracles at the saint's tomb.
• Relics: His body was eventually moved. A significant portion of his relics is housed in the Cathedral of Salerno in Italy, but the Coptic Church honors him as the writer of the first Gospel and a martyr for the faith.

St. Matthew the Poor (Pope Matthew I)

The life of the great Coptic Pope Matthew I (the 87th Patriarch, 1378–1408), who is a very prominent figure in our Church history, was marked by incredible asceticism and miracles:

• Extreme Humility: Before becoming Pope, he was a monk at the Monastery of the Mother of God (El-Muharraq). He was so humble that he fled to the Red Sea to avoid being ordained.
• Self-Sacrifice: In an act of extreme asceticism to avoid the high office or perhaps to silence himself in prayer, he went so far as to cut off the tip of his tongue with scissors. However, God miraculously restored his power of speech so he could lead the Church.
• Charity: Once installed as Patriarch, he became famous for his immense almsgiving. He provided for the needs of the poor, both Christians and Muslims. It is recorded that he fed over a thousand poor people every day, often moving wealthy Copts to give generously to support this massive food aid project.
• Relations with the State: He was respected even by the Muslim rulers of his time, such as Sultan Barquq, due to his holiness.
• Departure: He departed in peace in 1408 A.D. and was buried in the Monastery of El-Khandaq (Anba Rueiss).

In either case, whether the Apostle or the Patriarch, the life of St. Matthew in the Coptic tradition emphasizes a total surrender to the will of God and a life of service to the Church.