St. Matthias the Apostle Biography
St. Matthias the Apostle is a biblical figure from the New Testament, known for being chosen by the early Christian community to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. According to the Bible, Matthias was chosen to take Judas Iscariot’s place as one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, as recorded in the book of Acts.
Acts 1:15-26 details the account of how the apostles cast lots to choose a replacement for Judas, and Matthias was selected by the apostles. In Acts, it is said that Matthias had been a follower of Jesus from the beginning of his ministry, and he was chosen as an apostle because he had been a witness of the resurrection of Jesus.
There is little else written about Matthias in the Bible and much of his life and actions are not recorded. However, tradition has it that Matthias preached the Gospel in Judaea, Ethiopia, and other countries and eventually suffered martyrdom in Jerusalem.
Matthias is remembered as one of the twelve apostles, chosen by the early Christian community to replace Judas Iscariot as a witness of Jesus’ teachings and resurrection. He is not mentioned in any other part of the New Testament, but he is remembered as an important figure in early Christian tradition.
St Matthias feast day is celebrated on February 24th by Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Church. He is often depicted in art holding an axe, as he is said to have been martyred by being beheaded. He is also sometimes shown holding a book, symbolizing his role as an apostle and witness of the word of God.
The Eastern Orthodox Church claims that St. Matthias founded the see of Jerusalem, which later passed to James the Just and then to Simeon the Zealot. There are several apocryphal texts about his life, including the acts of Saint Matthias, which were popular in the early centuries of Christianity.
Matthias is considered as a symbol of the call to take up the cross and follow Jesus. His feast day is celebrated in the Church, to remind the faithful of the importance of the apostles’ witness, especially those that were chosen to continue Jesus’s work after his ascension.
St Matthias is remembered today as one of the twelve apostles, who, along with the other eleven, was called by Jesus to be a witness of his teachings, life, and resurrection and to spread the message of the Gospel to the world. His selection to be an apostle after the betrayal and death of Judas Iscariot is an important reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision in difficult times.
The Life of St. Matthias the Apostle
St. Clement of Alexandria assures us that St. Matthias was one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus. This is also confirmed by Eusebius and St. Jerome. From the Acts of the Apostles we learn that St. Matthias was a constant follower of the Savior from the time of His baptism by St. John the Baptist until the Ascension of Christ.
Soon after the Ascension, St. Peter convened an assembly of the faithful declared the necessity of choosing an Apostle to succeed Judas Iscariot. The two chosen as most worthy of the dignity were Joseph called Barsabas, surnamed the Just because of his extraordinary piety, and Matthias. After praying to God to show which of the two He had chosen, they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias. He was immediately associated with the Eleven, and ranked among the Apostles. (Acts 1:21-26).
May we live our lives in service to Christ. As we wear this St. Matthias the Apostle medal each day, may he, who was so close to the life of Christ while on Earth, intercede on our behalf for our intentions.
Popular St. Matthias the Apostle Medal and St. Matthias Rosary
Today, the Catholic church regards St. Matthias as the patron saint of tailors. As a tailor by trade, St. Matthias is a model for all who work in the garment and tailor industry.
Prayers to St. Matthias
O God, who assigned Saint Matthias
a place in the college of Apostles,
grant us, through his intercession,
that rejoicing at how your love
has been allotted to us,
we may merit to be numbered
among the elect.Amen.
Prayer to St. Matthias the Apostle
Dear St. Matthias,
You were chosen by the apostles to replace Judas as one of the twelve, and were faithful in your service to the Lord and his Church. I ask for your intercession as I seek to be a more faithful and obedient servant of God, following in the footsteps of the apostles.
May your example inspire me to be a person of deep faith, unwavering courage, and steadfast devotion to the Lord and his people.
Amen.
Prayer to St. Matthias the Apostle
St. Matthias,
You were chosen by the Holy Spirit to be a witness to the resurrection of Jesus, and to carry on the mission of the apostles. Help me to be open to the guidance and guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that I too may be a faithful witness to the truth of the gospel.
May your courage and commitment inspire me to be a person of deep faith, unwavering witness, and steadfast devotion to the Lord and his people.
Amen.
Prayer to St. Matthias the Apostle
O St. Matthias,
You were a man of deep faith and unwavering commitment, willing to follow Jesus and to serve the Church in any way that you could. Help me to be like you, faithful in my own journey with the Lord, and to always be ready to serve and to share the truth of the gospel with others.
May your example inspire me to be a person of deep faith, unwavering courage, and steadfast commitment to the Lord and his people.
Amen.
St. Matthias the Apostle: Patron Saint of Alcoholics and Carpenters
St. Matthias the Apostle is the patron saint of alcoholics and carpenters. He was one of the twelve apostles chosen by the early Christian community to replace Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Jesus.
St. Matthias is recognized as the patron saint of alcoholics because of his reputation for having overcome a weakness for drink. According to tradition, he struggled with alcohol in his earlier years, but through his faith and devotion he was able to overcome this weakness and become a steadfast disciple of Jesus. He is seen as a symbol of hope and inspiration for those who are struggling with addiction and seeking to turn their lives around.
In addition to being the patron saint of alcoholics, St. Matthias is also recognized as the patron saint of carpenters. This is because of the tradition that he was a carpenter by trade before becoming a disciple of Jesus. He is seen as a model of skilled craftsmanship and hard work, and his intercession is sought for guidance and inspiration for those who work in the construction industry.
St. Matthias the Apostle is remembered for his steadfastness as a disciple of Jesus, his victory over addiction, and his skills as a carpenter. He is revered as a powerful intercessor, and his intercession is sought for a variety of needs, including help for those who are struggling with addiction, guidance for those who work in the construction industry, and inspiration for all those who seek to live a life of faith and devotion.
Reflection on the feast day of St. Matthias the Apostle
The feast day of St. Matthias the Apostle is on February 24th.
On the feast day of St. Matthias the Apostle, we celebrate the life and legacy of one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ to be his closest followers. St. Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after his betrayal and death. According to the Acts of the Apostles, he was chosen by the remaining apostles through prayer and the casting of lots.
St. Matthias’s calling to be an apostle reminds us that God chooses and calls each one of us to a specific mission in life, regardless of our background or qualifications. Just as he was chosen to be an apostle, we too are called to serve God in our own unique way. St. Matthias’s example teaches us that if we are open to God’s call and willing to follow it, we can accomplish great things for God’s kingdom.
St. Matthias’s role as an apostle also reminds us of the importance of community in the Church. He was chosen by the remaining apostles through prayer and the casting of lots, this process shows that the decision of who would replace Judas was not made by one person but by the community. This example teaches us the importance of working together and supporting each other in the Church.
St. Matthias’s example also reminds us of the importance of forgiveness and second chances. Judas had betrayed Jesus and his fellow apostles, but they still chose to replace him with another person, showing that they were willing to forgive and give a second chance. This example teaches us that we too should be willing to forgive and give others a second chance, just as God forgives us.
Discover biographies, prayers, and reflections for more than 400 Catholic Saints
Next up: Biography of St. Mattia
Also check out our handmade St. Matthias the Apostle Medal and St. Matthias the Apostle Rosary and St. Matthias the Apostle Rosary Bracelet .