St. Matthias, Apostle–R (II)

Matthias (Hebrew transliteration: Mattityahu; died c. 80 A.D.) was, according to the Acts of the Apostles, the apostle chosen by the believers to replace Judas Iscariot following Judas’ betrayal of Jesus and his subsequent suicide. 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.