United Press International
August 27, 2004 Friday 21:01 PM Eastern Time

Kyrgyz scientists seek St. Matthew remains

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Aug. 27 (UPI)

A Kyrgyz-Russian expedition is searching Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan
for remains believed to be those of the Apostle Matthew, local media
reported Friday.

Issyk-Kul, 2,250 square miles in area, is a mountain lake in the
north of the country. The Vecherniy Bishkek newspaper refers to a map
dating back to the 14th century that a Russian scientist saw in
Venetia in the middle of the 19th century.

The scientist found an Armenian monastery on the map and read the
legend, according to which the body of St. Matthew, the apostle and
evangelist, was kept in the monastery.

The monastery was built on the north coast of Issyk-Kul before it
disappeared in the lake. People have found various artifacts in the
lake not far from the monastery’s location.

According to the gospels, St. Matthew followed Christ, accompanying
him up to the time of his passion and crucifixion and was one of the
witnesses of his resurrection. He is believed to have died sometime
during the first century A.D.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress