Exterior of St Matthias Abbey, Trier – the Shrine to St Matthias. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Name: St Matthias
Death: Late 1st century, disputed location and circumstances.
Feast Day: May 14
Patronage: Tailors, alcoholics, protection against smallpox, Trier
Shrine: St Matthias Abbey, Trier, Germany
The Crypt of St Matthias Abbey, the burial place of St Matthias the Apostle and St Eucharius. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
Life Story and Scripture:
St Matthias was elected to “receive this office of ministry and apostleship which Judas abandoned to go where he belonged” (Acts 1: 25)
He had been with the apostles “all the while we had the Lord Jesus with us, coming and going, from the time of John’s ministry of baptism until the day when He was taken from us,” and “a witness to His resurrection.” (Acts 1: 21-22)
Church Fathers:
St Matthias is held to have preached the Gospel and died in Ethiopia.
In ancient times the region around the Black see was often referred to as “Ethiopia”.
The Sacramentary of Pope St Gregory the Great refers to the “passion” of St Matthias, which would mean he had a saint’s martyrdom.
With thanks to Rev Dr Paul Stenhouse MSC, Whatever happened to the twelve apostles? (2006, Chevalier Press)
