Matthew has long been associated with the man, often depicted as an angel, because his gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Matthew also focuses in a particular way upon the humanity of Christ and the incarnation of the Son of God. You may notice from the photograph of the image something peculiar about the evangelist’s book. He is writing in Hebrew. There is an ancient tradition that was held by early Christians such as: St. Irenaeus (AD 120-202), Origen (AD 185-254), and Eusebius (AD 265-340) that St. Matthew first wrote his gospel in Hebrew. Bearing this ancient tradition in mind, John Hofland portrays St. Matthew seated and in the process of writing his gospel in the Hebrew language. The words in Hebrew “According to Matthew” can be seen. This may be the only instance in modern times of an image of St. Matthew writing in Hebrew. If you are able to find an additional image, let us know!

St. Mark holds an open gospel codex which reads: SECVNDVM MARCVM, Latin for “According to Mark”. He is seated and his left hand is extended. As such, his posture and gesture are that of an ancient teacher. Above him is a lion. Mark has long been associated with the lion. Lions roar. Mark’s gospel begins with John the Baptist in the middle of the desert, calling people to repentance. Indeed, St. Mark associates John the Baptist as a fulfilment of Isaiah’s ancient prophecy (Is 40:3) “a voice of one crying out in the desert: prepare the way of the Lord.” The “desert cry” which begins St. Mark’s gospel has long been associated with the roar of the lion. 
Many will be drawn to the lion’s face. My concern was that it might scare the school kids. Some of our All Saint’s teachers, however, have assured me that this will not be the case. The lion’s face was inspired by an ancient image of the lion found in the fourth-century baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte in Naples, Italy. 

Since the early Church, St. Luke has been associated with the ox or bull. Sometimes this bull is depicted with wings. We might ask what does the ox have to do with St. Luke? Remember that the ancient Jewish people sacrificed various animals in the Jerusalem Temple; animals like sheep, goats, and even bulls. The Gospel of Luke begins with Zechariah offering priestly service in the Jerusalem Temple. While burning incense in the sanctuary of the Lord, the Archangel Gabriel announces the message that although his wife Elizabeth has been unable to conceive and was advanced in years, she will bear a son (Lk 1: 5-25). By virtue of the fact that Luke’s gospel begins in the Temple, the ox—as an animal of sacrifice, has been long associated with St. Luke.
In the icon, St. Luke is holding the gospel codex in his left hand. Written in Latin is: SECVNDVM LUCAM or According to Luke. The A and the M in St. Luke’s name are actually merged together. This was a common practice in early Christian art, most likely a need to save space. With his right hand, St. Luke is giving a blessing. Notice, however, what is happening with his fingers. Both his middle and ring fingers are touching his thumb, leaving his index finger and pinky extended. Three fingers are joined together, while two remain extended. This is an ancient gesture which denotes the two great mysteries of the Catholic faith; the Trinity and the Incarnation. God is Father, God is Son, God is Holy Spirit. The one God is tri-personal. God is a unity of three, thus the word: Trinity. All the same, this one God has become man in the person of Jesus Christ. Christ is God and man. Christ has two natures united in one person. Simply put, this ancient gesture of blessing which St. Luke employs is a profession of faith in the Trinity (3 persons) and Christ’s 2 natures, His divinity and His humanity. Certainly, there is much to admire about this marvelous image.

John holds with great reverence the gospel, which he has written. The pages contain the Latin phrase: SECVNDVM IOHANNEM, which means, “According to John”. John, along with the other three evangelists are facing the altar—the place where the Most Holy Eucharist is celebrated. 
Above St. John is an eagle. The eagle has long been associated with St. John. The eagle, as we know, is able to fly high allthewhile seeing with clarity from great heights. The ancients believed the eagle could even stare directly at the sun!  
St. John’s gospel commences with a discussion on the Word of God becoming flesh. Just as the eagle can fly to great heights, St. John’s gospel commences with a discussion of the Word that is with God and that is God (Jn1:1). As the eagle can see clearly from great heights and can then quickly swoop down, so the Word becomes flesh (Jn1:14). God becomes a man.