Saint Matthias was numbered among the Twelve Apostles. After the betrayal and hanging of Judas, he was chosen to take his place. Therefore he was added to the disciples of Christ’s.
He was from the tribe of Judah, the most important and numerous of the tribes of Israel. From his childhood he studied the Law of God and followed the guidance of Simeon the God-Receiver. He immediately believed in Christ, recognizing Him as the Messiah. Abandoning every worldly care, he began to follow Him and thus became one of the Seventy disciples whom the Lord sent out to preach the Gospel.
Saint Matthias led many people to the love of the true God, confirming his words with signs and wonders. The Jewish high priest, who hated Jesus and had previously ordered that James be thrown down from a great height, commanded that the Apostle Matthias be arrested and brought to trial.
Unwavering in his faith, the saint was stoned to death. Surrendering his spirit, he completed his mission as an apostle of the Lord.
His body was buried with great honor by the faithful. The Church celebrates his memory on August 9.
