Saint Mathias
"And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' "
The Story In A Summary
The Heavenly Choice
Saint Mathias was born in the region of Galilee. He followed the Lord Jesus and His disciples and witnessed all the teachings and miracles of Our Lord. He was chosen in place of Judas Iscariot during the apostolic assembly in the Upper Room of Zion after the ascension of the Lord Christ.
Saint Peter the Apostle stood in the midst of the disciples to explain how David the Prophet wrote in the scriptures about Judas' betrayal leading to his losing his place in the Apostolic Ministry. Saint Peter proceeded in his explanation;
"For it is written in the Book of Psalms: 'Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it'; and, 'let another take his office.' "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from baptism of John to that day when he was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." And they proposed two: Joseph called Barnabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Mathias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Mathias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles"
This shows how the church has always been led by The Holy Spirit in every decision. Even today, the Coptic Orthodox Church follows the same process in choosing the pope of the church.
His Ministry
Saint Mathias was filled with the Holy Spirit that descended upon the apostles on the day of Pentecost. He preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, and Cappadocia; it was also said that he went on preaching to the country of cannibals. He preached the Gospel until he reached the city of Bartus, in Asia Minor, where he was seized because its people did not accept the word and imprisoned him.
The Miracle of Melting The Iron
In prison, Saint Mathias prayed and asked for the intercession of Saint Mary. She came to him on a cloud, and when she entered the city all the iron therein melted (as wax). She went to the prison, released Saint Mathias the apostle and all those who were imprisoned with him for the sake of the faith.
