Matthias the Apostle

Matthias was an apostle in Christianity, chosen by God through the remaining apostles to replace Judas Iscariot after Judas's betrayal of Jesus and subsequent death. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Matthias had been with Jesus from his baptism by John until Jesus's Ascension, and his selection was made by casting lots, a unique method among the apostles. He is not named in any list of disciples or followers in the three synoptic gospels or the Gospel of John. Following the Ascension, Peter proposed that the assembled disciples, numbering about 120, nominate two men to replace Judas.

They chose Joseph called Barsabbas (surnamed Justus) and Matthias. After praying for the Lord to show which of the two was chosen, they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, who was then numbered with the eleven apostles. No further canonical information about Matthias exists. His name is variable; the Syriac version of Eusebius calls him "Tolmai," while Clement of Alexandria references Zacchaeus in a way that might suggest some identified him with Matthias, and the Clementine Recognitions identify him with Barnabas.

Traditions regarding his ministry and death are vague and contradictory. Greek tradition holds he spread Christianity around Cappadocia and the coasts of the Caspian Sea, near the port Hyssus. Nicephorus states he first preached in Judaea, then in Aethiopia (by Colchis, in modern Georgia), and was crucified.

Another tradition maintains he was stoned at Jerusalem by the Jews and then beheaded. Hippolytus of Rome claims he died of old age in Jerusalem. Surviving fragments of a lost Gospel of Matthias are attributed to him, but early Church Fathers considered it heretical. His feast was historically celebrated on 24 February, but in 1969 it was moved to 14 May in the Roman Calendar to avoid Lent and align with Eastertide near the Ascension.