Holy Apostle Matthew Icon

Matthew, one of the twelve apostles and brother to James, initially worked as a tax collector for the Romans, a profession that contrasted sharply with his lineage as a Levite. After responding to Jesus' call, he left everything to follow Him, later spreading Christ's teachings in Palestine. He authored the first Gospel of the New Testament in Hebrew, capturing the essence of Jesus' ministry. Matthew eventually evangelized in regions like Syria and Persia, ultimately receiving martyrdom in Ethiopia.

The icon of Holy Apostle Matthew reflects the artistry of lacquered icons workshop, where we create folding icons, crosses, and various-sized icons.

The creation process begins with preparing wooden boards, which are cut into smaller panels and smoothed into refined oval shapes. These panels are transformed into polished lamellas that are then glued together to form a solid base. After selecting and laminating images stored for this purpose, artisans fit these images to the panels, cutting and verifying their symmetry before applying special glue to secure them. A final polish enhances durability and aesthetics.

Once the icons are fully dried, they undergo a blessing ritual, with a stamp of authenticity from the convent placed on the back. Each lacquered icon, crafted through this meticulous process, serves as thoughtful gift, or as part of your prayer corner.