The Festival of St. Matthias, Apostle
Posted on February 24, 2026 by under
Scripture: Acts 1:15-26 (NKJV)
1:15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”
18 (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 “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.’
21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the 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.”
23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Devotion
Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, and realizing his error, went and hung himself. St. Peter stands before the whole congregation of 120 souls and declares that someone must take the place of the betrayer, the one foretold in the imprecatory psalms of the Psalter (Pss. 69, 109). The determining factor for his replacement was that he had been with them from the beginning, from the baptism of St. John the Baptist unto the ascension of the Lord Jesus. Two men were found to fit the requirements: Joseph called Barsabas, surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
That is all we are told about St. Matthias in holy Scripture. He is chosen by the Apostles and the rest of the congregation, but a few chapters later the Lord Jesus chooses St. Paul to be His voice to the Gentiles. This would be later confirmed by the Apostles when they sent St. Paul to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. But St. Matthias, who Eusebius writes was among the seventy sent out by the Lord, was an eyewitness to the life of the Savior. He would bring that eyewitness account to the people of Judea and Ethiopia according to Church tradition. Therefore, he is numbered among the Twelve, and honored by us on this day.
Collect: O Almighty God, Who by Thy Son Jesus Christ, didst give to Thy holy Apostles many excellent gifts, and commandest them earnestly to feed Thy flock: Make, we beseech Thee, all Pastors diligently to preach Thy holy Word, and the people obediently to follow the same, that they may receive the crown of everlasting glory; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for Invocavit Sunday
O Lord, mercifully hear our prayer, and stretch forth the right hand of Thy Majesty to defend us from them that rise up against us; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Season of Lent
Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
