Matthew, apostle and evangelist – September 21st
St Matthew (Relics: Salerno, Italy)
First Class Relics
Duomo di Salerno
(Salerno Cathedral)
Via Duomo 1
84121 Salerno, Italy
*The relics of St Matthew were brought to Salerno in 954 AD. A festival honoring this translation occurs annually on May 6th. His relics are preserved within the richly decorated crypt of this church.
*Despite being the legitimate pope, St Gregory VII was forced out of Rome in 1084 as a result of his ties to the Normans and the political pressures created by the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV, and the antipope, Clement III. A year later St Gregory VII died in Salerno as an exile. His remains now rest under an altar in the right transept of this church.
Churches of Honor in Rome
Santissima Trinita dei Pellegrini
(The Most Holy Trinity of the Pilgrims)
Via dei Pettinari 36/A
Rome, Italy
*This church is located near Piazza Farnese.
*Above the altar in the right transept is a statue of St Matthew.
San Luigi dei Francesi
(Saint Louis of the French)
Piazza San Luigi dei Francesi 5
Rome, Italy
*This church is near Piazza Navona.
*This church is known for its paintings. The most famous being The Calling of St Matthew by Caravaggio located in the Contarelli Chapel. This is the last chapel on the left side of the nave. The other two paintings in this chapel are also attributed to Caravaggio and are entitled The Martyrdom of St Matthew and The Inspiration of St Matthew.
Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Our Lady in Aracoeli)
Piazza del Campidoglio 4
Rome, Italy
*This church is on top of the Capitoline Hill.
*The fifth chapel on the right side of the nave is dedicated to St Matthew.
*Also relics of St Helena, the mother of Constantine, rest in the left transept.
