From the Acts of the Apostles we learn that St. Matthias had been one of the companions of our Savior from the day of His baptism by St. John; for when there was question of electing an Apostle to take place of the apostate Judas, St. Peter spoke: “Of these men who have been in our company all the time that the Lord Jesus moved among us, from John’s baptism until the day that He was taken up from us, one must become a witness with us of His Resurrection” (Acts 1:21).Two men were proposed: Barsabbas and Matthias, and the latter was chosen by lot. About one hundred and twenty persons were present at this election. According to an ancient tradition handed down by Clement of Alexandria and confirmed by Eusebius and St. Jerome, St. Matthias was one of the seventy-two disciples of our Lord. It was after this occurrence that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, among whom St. Matthias was then numbered.
Clement of Alexandria writes that St. Matthias was remarkable for inculcating the necessity of mortifying the flesh with its irregular passions and desires. According to the Greeks, St. Matthias suffered martyrdom in Colchis, which is called Ethiopia. Colchis was a district of Asia Minor, situated on the shores of the Black Sea, south of the Caucasus Mountains.
PRAYER: Lord God, You chose St. Matthias to become a member of the Apostles. Through his intervention may we enjoy the reward of Your love and be numbered among the elect. Amen.