3-084-841 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Calling and Martyrdom of Saint Matthew, c1315-1360. Middle section: Jesus Christ calls on the tax collector Matthew to follow him. Bottom: Matthew invited King Hirtacus to liturgy, where he rebuked the king for lusting after Ephigenia of Ethiopia, virgin daughter of King Egippus, as she was a nun and therefore the bride of Christ. The enraged King ordered his bodyguard to kill Matthew who stood at the altar, making him a martyr.