Icon Set of the Four Evangelists - 21st c. - SETEV001

Saint Matthew the Apostle

Feast Day: November 16 Originally a tax collector named Levi in Capernaum, Matthew abandoned his lucrative but despised profession the moment Jesus called him to "Follow Me." He demonstrated his repentance by repaying those he had cheated fourfold and distributing his wealth to the poor before becoming one of the Twelve Apostles. Witnessing the entirety of Christ’s ministry, he eventually penned the first Gospel—originally in Aramaic—to prove to his fellow Jews that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah. His Gospel is uniquely structured to highlight Christ as Prophet, King, and High Priest, emphasizing the Kingdom of God and the Church. After years of preaching in Palestine, Matthew traveled to Ethiopia, where he survived an execution by fire only to pass away peacefully shortly thereafter; his martyrdom and the miracles following it eventually led to the conversion of the very ruler who had persecuted him.

Saint Mark the Evangelist

Feast Day: April 25 Mark, also known as John Mark, was a companion to both the Apostles Peter and Paul, serving as an essential bridge in the early missionary journeys of the Church. Traditionally viewed as the "interpreter" of St. Peter, his Gospel is often considered the most concise and action-oriented, reflecting the eyewitness accounts and urgent preaching style of Peter himself. Writing primarily for a Gentile audience in Rome, Mark emphasizes the power and authority of Jesus through His miracles and His role as the Suffering Servant. After his work with the Apostles, Mark founded the Church in Alexandria, Egypt, where he served as its first bishop and eventually suffered a martyr’s death, dragged through the streets by pagan mobs for his refusal to abandon the Gospel.

Saint Luke the Physician

Feast Day: October 18 A Greek physician and a companion of St. Paul, Luke was a meticulous historian and an artist, traditionally credited with painting the first icon of the Virgin Mary. His Gospel is characterized by its focus on Christ’s compassion for the marginalized, including women, the poor, and social outcasts, and it provides the most detailed account of the Nativity. As the author of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke also recorded the birth and expansion of the early Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. His writing is noted for its polished Greek and its emphasis on prayer, joy, and the universality of salvation. Luke continued his missionary labors well into his old age, ultimately dying a martyr in Boeotia, Greece.

Saint John the Theologian

Feast Day: May 8 & September 26 The "Beloved Disciple" and the youngest of the Twelve, John was the only Apostle who did not abandon Christ during the Crucifixion, where he was entrusted with the care of the Virgin Mary. His Gospel differs significantly from the other three, focusing on deep theological discourses and the pre-existent divinity of the Word (Logos). Known as the "Apostle of Love," his writings—including three epistles and the Book of Revelation—emphasize that God is love and that believers must love one another. After surviving an attempt on his life in a vat of boiling oil in Rome, he was exiled to the island of Patmos. John was the only Apostle to die of old age, passing away in Ephesus after a long life dedicated to defending the faith against early heresies.

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