Today, February 24th, we remember the Apostle Saint Matthias in our church calendar.
Saint Matthias is not in the Gospels as one of Jesus’ Apostles, but in the book of Acts, it is mentioned that he had been with Jesus since the time of his baptism in the Jordan River. He stayed with Jesus until the time of his Ascension into heaven. In the days that followed the Ascension of Christ, Saint Peter got the disciples together to hold an election to replace Judsas Iscariot, since his place among the twelve was now vaccant. There were two people suggested: Joseph (called Barsabas) and Matthias. After the vote, Matthias was declared the winner, and was then numbered among the twelve Apostles.
Greek tradition says that Saint Matthias ministered to the people of Cappadocia and the coasts of the Caspian sea, and another tradition says that he was stoned at Jerusalem by the locals, and then was beheaded. Still another tradition says that he died of old age in Jerusalem.
While we don’t know exctly what happened to Saint Matthias after his election, we remember him today as one of the Apostles of Jesus. A collect for today:
O ALMIGHTY God, who into the place of the traitor Judas didst choose thy faithful servant Matthias to be of the number of the twelve Apostles: Grant that thy Church, being alway preserved from false Apostles, may be ordered and guided by faithful and true pastors; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
