Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
According to the Acts of the Apostles, Matthias was one of Jesus' first disciples. He was chosen by the Apostles to replace Judas among them after his betrayal and suicide (Acts 1: 15-26). Matthias was ordained bishops and the apostolic authority was giving to him by the laying on of hands. Peter was convinced that just as the Old Testament was based on the 12 sons of the patriarch Jacob, the New Testament was to be based on the 12 Apostles. Since this number was incomplete, it had to be completed. The other Apostles were of the same opinion. Settling disputed matters by drawing lots was a common practice at that time. The decisive factor was not randomness or some other consideration, but a deep faith in the supernatural intervention of the Holy Spirit. This is clearly indicated by the words of the Prince of the Apostles: “You, Lord, who knows the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen" (Acts 1:24).
Apart from the description of the appointment, there is no certain information about him. According to Eusebius of Caesarea, St. Matthias was one of 72 disciples of Jesus. He was of Jewish origin, as the origin of all the Apostles and also the Disciples of Christ. Also, the Hebrew theophoric name Mattatyah (Greek Theodoros or Latin Adeodatus - a gift of Yahweh) indicates the Apostle's Jewish origin.
About the apostolic work of St. Matthias, we cannot say much, although there were many legends about it in Christian antiquity. According to them, first he preached the Gospel in Judea, then in Ethiopia, and finally in Colchis, on the frontier of the Slavs. However, he was martyred in Jerusalem, stoned to death as an enemy of the Jewish people and their traitor. On the other hand, Clement of Alexandria (+ 215), closest to the times of St. Matthias, expresses the opinion that Matthias died a natural death around the year 50 (others say the year 80). Among the apocryphal writings about St. Matthias, only fragments of the so-called Gospel of St. Matthias and fragments of the Acts of St. Matthias survived. Both writings were written in the 3rd century and are clearly of Gnostic origin. The heretics wanted to use the name of the Apostle as a sign in order to give their errors greater seriousness and the appearance of truth.
Relics of St. Matthias were found, according to the tradition by St. Helena, Empress, and mother of Constantine the Great. Later the relics were given to many churches. They are now in Rome in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, in Trier, Germany, and in the Church of St. Justin in Padua. St. Matthias is the patron of Hanover, he is also patron of builders, blacksmiths, carpenters, confectioners and butchers, as well as people suffering from smallpox.
Since there are different traditions regarding the martyrdom of the saint, he is depicted in iconography with many different objects. Most often it is an ax (especially in German paintings and sculptures), a spear or a halberd (it dominates in Italian images). A sword, stone, or cross also appears.
Matthias is a gift of the Lord.
Although He is only mentioned in this New Testament passage, it is nevertheless very significant. In both books of Luke - the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles - the names correspond to the roles of the appearing figures. As I already mentioned, the Greek name Matthias is an abbreviated form that comes from the Hebrew name Mattatyah, meaning "gift of Yahweh". Not only the prayer of the apostles, but also the way the twelfth apostle was chosen, highlights this truth: “Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26). Gift of Matthias precedes the greatest gift for the Church. The Pentecost is presented in the passage in the Acts of the Apostles immediately after the description of Matthias election. The Holy Spirit is a gift of the Lord to the whole Church represented by the Twelve Apostles.
Therefore, in our daily prayers, we pray: I BELIEVE IN ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH
Until Tomorrow
fr. george