St. Matthias, Apostle and Martyr.

Tags

apostle, blessing, Christianity, discipleship, Early Church, Faith, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, martyrs, missionary, saints, Salvation, theology, truth

Today the Church remembers St. Matthias, Apostle.

Ora pro nobis.

St. Matthias (Matthew) was, according to the Acts of the Apostles, the apostle chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot following Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and his subsequent death. His calling as an apostle is unique, in that his appointment was not made personally by Jesus, who had already ascended into heaven, and it was also made before the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the early Church.

According to the canonical Book of Acts, Matthias (so called to avoid confusion with the other Apostle St. Matthew) had been with Jesus from his baptism by John until his Ascension. In the days following, Peter proposed that the assembled disciples, who numbered about one hundred-twenty, nominate two men to replace Judas. They chose Joseph called Barsabas (whose surname was Justus) and Matthias. Then they prayed, “Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all people, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” [Acts 1:24–25] Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

The tradition of the Greeks says that St. Matthias planted the faith about Cappadocia (modern Turkey) and on the coasts of the Caspian Sea, residing chiefly near the port Issus.

According to Nicephorus, Matthias first preached the Gospel in Judaea, then in the region of Colchis, now in modern-day Georgia, and was there stoned to death. It should be noted that modern Georgia is almost entirely Christian, a testament to the faithful preaching of the true Gospel of Jesus there by Matthias. He died around 80 AD as a martyr.

Amen.