Saint Matthias

Life events

1. Born — 1

   Matthias was born in the early 1st century CE, almost certainly in Judaea, and according to Acts had been a follower of Jesus from his baptism by John the Baptist through to the Ascension.

2. Other — 30

   Following the death of Judas Iscariot, Peter addressed an assembly of about 120 disciples and proposed nominating two men — Joseph Barsabbas (Justus) and Matthias — to fill the vacant place among the Twelve.

3. Ordained — 30

   The assembled disciples prayed and then cast lots; the lot fell to Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles (Acts 1:23-26), making him the only apostle of the Twelve chosen after the Ascension of Jesus.

4. Pilgrimage

   According to the tradition of the Greeks, Matthias spread Christianity around Cappadocia and on the coasts of the Caspian Sea, residing chiefly near the port of Hyssus. Nicephorus records that he first preached in Judaea and subsequently in Aethiopia (the region of Colchis, in modern Georgia).

5. Martyred — 80

   The dominant tradition holds that Matthias was brought before the council of Jewish elders on a charge of preaching Christ as the Son of God, condemned, stoned outside the city, and then beheaded — a Roman execution appended to the Jewish punishment.

6. Translated

   According to tradition, Empress Helena brought the relics of Matthias to Rome; part of these were subsequently interred at the Abbey of Santa Giustina in Padua and the remainder at the Abbey of St. Matthias in Trier, Germany.

7. Other — 1969

   In the revision of the General Roman Calendar in 1969, the feast of Matthias was transferred from 24 February — where it had stood since its inclusion in the Roman Calendar in the 11th century — to 14 May, placing it in Eastertide close to the Solemnity of the Ascension.

Relationships

Documented claims

• Matthias is the only member of the Twelve Apostles chosen by lot (kleros) rather than by direct call from Jesus during his earthly ministry, a selection that took place after the Ascension. (certain)
• The Syriac version of Eusebius names Matthias as 'Tolmai' throughout; Clement of Alexandria hints at an identification with Zacchaeus; the Clementine Recognitions identify him with Barnabas — reflecting persistent uncertainty about his identity in early sources. (likely)
• Fragments of a lost Gospel of Matthias survive, but Early Church Fathers classified the text as heretical by the 2nd century. (likely)
• Ancient sources contradict each other on how Matthias died: stoning followed by beheading at Jerusalem (Tillemont); crucifixion in Ethiopia/Colchis (Nicephorus); and natural death in Jerusalem of old age (Hippolytus of Rome). (disputed)
• The feast of Matthias entered the Roman Calendar in the 11th century on 24 February (25 February in leap years); in 1969 it was moved to 14 May. Anglican and some Lutheran churches retain 24 February while others have adopted 14 May, producing three distinct feast-day positions across traditions. (certain)