Saint Matthias: Difference between revisions

'''Saint Matthias''', born in the [[City]] of [[Bethlehem]], [[State/Administrative subdivision|Judea]], [[Country|Israel]], was an [[Apostle]] chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after his betrayal, as recounted in Acts 1:21–26. A disciple from Jesus’s baptism by John to the Ascension, he was selected by lot over Joseph Barsabbas by 120 followers in [[Jerusalem]]’s [[Parish]], c. 33 AD, to restore the Twelve Apostles, symbolizing Israel’s tribes. He preached in Judea, [[Cappadocia]], and near the Caspian Sea, using the [[Rite|Latin Rite]], per Greek tradition. Martyred c. 80 AD—likely stoned and beheaded in Jerusalem or crucified in Colchis—his resolve, akin to an [[Bishop|Archbishop of Paris]], strengthened the early Church, per Clement of Alexandria.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)[](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Matthias)

Canonized pre-Congregation, Matthias’s feast day, May 14, draws devotees to the Abbey of Santa Giustina in [[Padua]], [[Country|Italy]], where [[Helena (empress)|St. Helena]] interred his relics. Patron of carpenters, tailors, and recovering alcoholics, his axe symbolizes martyrdom. His legacy, despite a lost apocryphal Gospel, endures among [[Saints]] in the [[Diocese|Diocese of Padua]], with Eastern Orthodox veneration on August 9, a testament to his apostolic role.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)[](https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/may-14-saint-matthias-the-apostle/)

Saint Matthias was born in [[Bethlehem]], [[State/Administrative subdivision|Judea]], c. 1st century AD, of the tribe of Judah. Raised studying God’s law under [[Simeon the God-receiver]], his early faith shaped his call. Bethlehem’s hills framed his origin.[](https://www.acrod.org/orthodox-christianity/articles/saints/matthias)

His zeal led to following Jesus, a path to apostleship.

Matthias studied in [[Jerusalem]], joining Jesus’s followers from John’s baptism. Possibly among the seventy disciples sent out (Luke 10:1), he was identified as Zacchaeus by Clement of Alexandria. His fidelity in Judea’s [[Parish]] prepared him for apostleship, chosen c. 33 AD.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)[](https://overviewbible.com/matthias-the-apostle/)

His early life was devotion, a disciple’s steadfast heart.

Matthias’s occupation was as an [[Apostle]], preaching in [[Jerusalem]], [[Cappadocia]], and Colchis from c. 33 AD. He evangelized barbarians, faced imprisonment, and was freed by [[Andrew the Apostle]], per apocryphal tradition, using the [[Rite|Latin Rite]]. Martyred c. 80 AD, his work built the Church.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)[](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-matthias-apostle-459)

His labor was proclaiming Christ, ended in sacrifice. Matthias’s role was an apostle’s witness.

Matthias’s vocation emerged with Jesus’s ministry, fulfilled in [[Jerusalem]]’s [[Parish]] c. 33 AD. Chosen by lot, he preached despite peril, his influence like an [[Bishop|Archbishop of Paris]]. His martyrdom c. 80 AD sealed his place among [[Saints]].[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)[](https://missions.ewtn.com/seasonsandfeastdays/stmatthias/)

His vocation peaked in mission, a saintly apostle. Matthias’s life was a gift to the Gospel.

Saint Matthias met his end c. 80 AD, likely in [[Jerusalem]], [[Country|Israel]], stoned and beheaded, per tradition, though some claim crucifixion in Colchis or natural death. His relics, moved to [[Padua]] by [[Helena (empress)|St. Helena]], rest in the [[Parish]] of Santa Giustina.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)[](https://connection.newmanministry.com/saint/saint-matthias/)

His death birthed devotion, his relics a shrine. Matthias’s martyrdom closed a life of faith.

No “Servant of God” process in the 1st century; Matthias’s veneration began in [[Jerusalem]]’s [[Parish]] post-martyrdom, tied to his apostleship.[](https://missions.ewtn.com/seasonsandfeastdays/stmatthias/)

No Venerable status; his sanctity was immediate.

No beatification; his sainthood grew organically in [[Country|Israel]].

Canonized pre-Congregation, by the 4th century, affirmed by Church tradition, sealing his place among [[Saints]].[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)

No miracles required; his sainthood stemmed from martyrdom.

- Freed from prison by [[Andrew the Apostle]], per *Acts of Andrew and Matthias*.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)

Saint Matthias is patron of carpenters, tailors, recovering alcoholics, and smallpox victims.

The feast day of Saint Matthias is celebrated on May 14.

Saint Matthias is venerated through prayers for perseverance, centered at the Abbey of Santa Giustina in the [[Parish]] of [[Padua]], where relics rest. His axe symbolizes martyrdom, his cult thriving in [[State/Administrative subdivision|Italy]]. His May 14 feast, moved from February 24 in 1969, honors an apostle’s zeal, like an [[Bishop|Archbishop of Paris]].[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_the_Apostle)[](https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/may-14-saint-matthias-the-apostle/)

===Written about the saint===

* Acts of Andrew and Matthias (2nd century, apocryphal)

* Clement of Alexandria, Stromata (3rd century)

===Written by the saint===

* Gospel of Matthias (apocryphal, lost, attributed to heretics by Eusebius)

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