Matthias the Apostle
Matthias the Apostle | |
|---|---|
St Matthias by Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1611 | |
| Apostle and Martyr | |
| Born | 1st century AD Judaea, |
| Died | Jerusalem, Judaea or Colchis |
| Venerated in | |
| Canonized | Pre-congregation |
| Feast |
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| Attributes | Axe, Christian martyrdom |
| Patronage | Alcoholics; carpenters; tailors; Great Falls-Billings, Montana; Trier; smallpox; hope; perseverance |
Matthias (/məˈθaɪəs/; Koine Greek: Μαθθίας, Matthías [maθˈθi.as], from Hebrew מַתִּתְיָהוּ Mattiṯyāhū; Coptic: ⲙⲁⲑⲓⲁⲥ; died c. AD 80) was, according to the Acts of the Apostles, chosen by God through the apostles to replace Judas Iscariot following the latter's betrayal of Jesus and his subsequent death. His calling as an apostle is unique, in that he was elected by fellow disciples following Jesus' Ascension into heaven, though Matthias knew Jesus throughout his earthly ministry.