Saint Matthias, according to the Acts of the Apostles, was chosen by the apostles to replace Judas Iscariot following the latter’s betrayal of Jesus and his subsequent death.
There is no mention of a Matthias among the lists of disciples or followers of Jesus but according to Acts, he had been with Jesus from his baptism by John until his Ascension. No further information about Matthias is to be found in the canonical New Testament. The tradition of the Greeks says that St. Matthias planted the faith about Cappadocia and on the coasts of the Caspian Sea, residing chiefly near the port Issus.
His calling as an apostle is unique, in that his appointment was not made personally by Jesus, who had already ascended into heaven, and it was also made before the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the early Church.
