St. Matthias The Apostle

Matthias is honored as an Apostle, but he was not one of the original twelve chosen by Jesus. After Jesus ascended to heaven, St. Peter was inspired to call for someone to replace Judas Iscariot who had betrayed Christ. The assembled disciples picked Joseph, called Barsabas and Matthias as the best candidates and then had them draw lots to see whom God would choose. The choice fell to Matthias, who became an Apostle (Acts 1-15-26). We know very little else for certain about Matthias, for ancient sources give conflicting accounts. Nicephorus says that he preached the Gospel in Judea and then in Ethiopia, where he was crucified. Another source also says that he preached in Ethiopia and recounts that he died at Sebastopolis (Armenia) and was buried near the Temple of the Sun. Yet another source says that he was stoned at Jerusalem and beheaded. Some apocryphal writings have been attributed to Matthias, but scholars date these to a later era. The current feast of St. Matthias is May 14.