St. Matthew, also known as Matthew the Apostle, was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. He is traditionally credited with writing the Gospel of Matthew, which is the first book of the New Testament. Matthew was a tax collector before following Jesus, and his gospel emphasizes Jesus' teachings and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. In Christian tradition, St. Matthew is often depicted as a man with a book or scroll, symbolizing his role as an evangelist. His feast day is celebrated on September 21 in the Western Christian calendar. He is also recognized as the patron saint of tax collectors and accountants.