Saint Matthias
Matthias | |
|---|---|
 Saint Matthias from the workshop of Simone Martini | |
| Apostle | |
| Born | 1st century AD Judaea, Roman Empire |
| Died | c. 80 AD Jerusalem, Judaea or in Colchis (modern-day Georgia) |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodox Churches Anglican Communion Lutheran Church |
| Canonized | Pre-Congregation |
| Feast | May 14 (Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion) August 9 (Eastern Orthodox Church) February 24 (in leap years February 25) (pre-1970 General Roman Calendar, Western Rite Orthodoxy, Episcopal Church, Lutheran Church) |
| Attributes | axe |
| Patronage | alcoholics; carpenters; Gary, Indiana; Great Falls-Billings, Montana; smallpox; tailors; hope; perseverance |
Matthias was the apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot. This was stated in the Acts of the Apostles. Unlike the other apostles, his appointment was not made personally by Jesus.
After the betrayal of Judas, the disciples of Jesus needed to choose a new apostle. To do this they nominated 2 men - Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias.