Matthias

Saint Matthias is one of the seventy-two disciples of Jesus Christ. He is known for being chosen by the remaining eleven apostles, after the Ascension of Christ, to replace Judas Iscariot. The Acts of the Apostles (Acts 1:15-26) describe this process: two candidates, Matthias and Joseph Barsabbas (surnamed Justus), were presented, and the choice was made by lot, after prayer. The criterion was that the chosen one must have accompanied Jesus from John's baptism until the Ascension, in order to be a witness to the Resurrection. After Pentecost, Matthias is believed to have preached the Gospel. Traditions vary concerning his ministry and place of martyrdom. Some sources place him in Judea, others in Ethiopia, Cappadocia, or Georgia. It is generally accepted that he suffered martyrdom, either by stoning followed by decapitation, or by crucifixion. His relics are reputed to be in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome and in St. Matthias Abbey in Trier, Germany. He is commemorated on May 14 in the Roman liturgical calendar.