Matthias’ Missionary Journeys

The Apostle Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. Among his qualifications was that he had been in the company of Christ and the 12 disciples from the Lord’s baptism with John to His Resurrection and Ascension [Acts 1:26].

Matthias was of the tribe of Judah – born in Bethlehem. When he was very young, he went to Jerusalem and was taught by the priest Simeon to study the sacred books and to live a life of virtue. This was Simeon the “God-receiver”, who dedicated the new-born Christ in the temple.

After Christ’s public ministry began, Matthias indeed devotedly followed after him, heard his teachings and saw his countless miracles. He left behind all care for the world and followed Christ, along with the other disciples, being “delighted in the sight of the countenance of the incarnate God and in the ineffable joy of his teaching.” He was also counted as one of the 70 Apostles sent out by the Lord in Luke chapter 10.

After Pentecost, he was assigned the region of Judea, south of Jerusalem, which he did for quite some time. Afterwards he went to “Ethiopia,” Macedonia, and back again to Palestine.

Again, as in the case of the Apostle Matthew, it should be noted that it is not modern Ethiopia that is being referred to here, but refers more generally to the land where the black-skinned people lived. This is often a reference to the area from southern Egypt to northern Sudan – or even more generally, everywhere south of Egypt. Though, there are a number of other places which were referred to as “where the dark-skinned people dwell” including the modern Republic of Georgia, east of the Black Sea. In the case of Matthias, his ministry appears to have been in the latter, the Clochis region of Georgia.

In “Aethiopia”, tradition tells us that he endured many afflictions at the hands of the people there, such as dragging him over the ground, beating and hanging him from a scaffold, lacerating his stomach and burning him with fire. However, “the holy Matthias, strengthened by Christ, manfully bore these torments with joy; for he was endued with power from on high by command of the Giver of Life.”

At times, he and the Apostle Andrew preached together in the region of the Black Sea, as in the town of Sinope where he was miraculously released from prison by Andrew’s prayer.

It is uncertain where Matthias died, with several places recorded. It is possible he was martyred or died of old age in Jerusalem around 80 AD. There is not enough evidence to support any scenario.