A tax collector, son of Alphaeus. The Lord called him in Capernaum: “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him” (Mt. 9:9). He preached the Gospel in Parthia, Media, and Ethiopia, where he appointed Plato as bishop, and he withdrew into the desert. When he baptized the wife and son of the prince of that region, the latter became angry. One guard heard the Apostle, but did not see him, the other was blinded, and the prince went after him, but was blinded by the bright light. The saint restored his sight, but the latter caught him. He could not kill him until the Apostle prayed to God to take his soul. Later, the prince repented, received the priesthood, and when Bishop Plato reposed, the Holy Apostle Matthew placed him on the episcopal throne. Saint Matthew wrote the Gospel, in the Hebrew language.

Venerable Sergius of Lesser Pine. Christmas Fast.