SAINT MATTHIAS
Saint Matthias was the disciple who, according to the biblical Acts of the Apostles (1:21-26), was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas betrayed Jesus.
Acts reveals that Matthias accompanied Jesus and the Apostles from the time of the Lord’s Baptism to his Ascension and that, when it became time to replace Judas, the Apostles cast lots between Matthias and another candidate St. Joseph Barsabbas.
After receiving the Holy Spirit with the other Apostles in the upper room at Pentecost, he is not mentioned again in the New Testament.
It is generally believed that Saint Matthias ministered in Judea and then carried out missions to foreign places.
He Christianized Cappadocia, now in central Turkey, where he was martyred by crucifixion and according to other legends, chopped apart. His symbol is a cross.
Saint Matthias’s Feast Day is celebrated on May 14.