Byzantine Saints: Apostle Matthias of the Seventy (9 August)

About this sermon

Who was the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot? His name was St. Matthias, a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ who, according to Christian tradition, had followed the Lord before being numbered among the Twelve Apostles. Born in Bethlehem of the tribe of Judah, Matthias was instructed in the Law of God from his youth. According to the tradition presented in this account, he studied under St. Simeon the God-Receiver. When Jesus Christ revealed Himself publicly as the promised Messiah, Matthias believed in Him and became His follower. He was numbered among the Seventy, the disciples sent out by the Lord to preach. But after the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, Matthias would receive an extraordinary calling. 🔥 THE APOSTLE WHO REPLACED JUDAS After the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ, the remaining Apostles needed to fill the place left vacant by Judas. Matthias was chosen by lot and numbered with the Twelve Apostles. From that point forward, he participated in the apostolic mission of proclaiming the Gospel. After the descent of the Holy Spirit, Matthias preached in Jerusalem and Judea alongside the other Apostles. 🌍 THE MISSIONARY JOURNEYS OF ST. MATTHIAS According to Church tradition, Matthias traveled extensively to proclaim Jesus Christ. His missionary activity is associated with places including: ✝️ Jerusalem and Judea ✝️ Syrian Antioch ✝️ Regions associated with St. Andrew ✝️ Edessa ✝️ Macedonia ✝️ Pontic Ethiopia, traditionally associated with territory in or near present-day Georgia Tradition also connects Matthias with St. Peter and St. Andrew the First-Called. During these missionary journeys, Matthias repeatedly faced imprisonment, persecution, and threats of death. Yet he continued preaching. 🐍 THE POISON MIRACLE One tradition tells how pagans forced St. Matthias to drink a poisonous potion. He drank it. But the poison did not harm him. Even more remarkably, Matthias then healed other prisoners who had been blinded by the same poison. When his enemies later searched for him, according to the account, God miraculously concealed him from their sight. Another tradition describes the earth opening beneath enemies who intended to kill the Apostle. Yet Matthias survived these dangers because his apostolic mission was not yet finished. 🔥 JESUS CHRIST IS THE PROMISED MESSIAH Matthias eventually returned to Judea and continued preaching Christ. He performed miracles in the name of the Lord Jesus and brought many people to the Faith. His preaching ultimately brought him into conflict with the religious authorities. According to this tradition, Matthias was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. There he boldly proclaimed that: Jesus Christ is the true God, the promised Messiah and the Son of God. Matthias refused to deny the Lord whom he had followed. ⚔️ THE MARTYRDOM OF ST. MATTHIAS According to the account, the Sanhedrin condemned Matthias to death by stoning. After his death, his head was cut off. Other traditions differ regarding the circumstances and location of his martyrdom, with some accounts associating his death with crucifixion. The tradition presented here places his martyrdom around A.D. 63. Whatever the precise historical circumstances surrounding his final moments, Christian tradition remembers Matthias as an Apostle and martyr who remained faithful to Jesus Christ unto death. 00:00 — St. Matthias the Apostle | August 9 00:25 — Matthias Studies the Law of God 00:33 — Matthias Believes in Jesus as the Messiah 00:42 — Chosen to Replace Judas Iscariot 00:49 — Pentecost & Preaching the Gospel 00:58 — Matthias, Peter & Andrew in Antioch 01:05 — Imprisoned & Miraculously Freed 01:12 — Missionary Journey With St. Andrew 01:19 — Matthias Preaches Across Distant Lands 01:28 — Persecution & Deadly Dangers 01:37 — Matthias Drinks Poison and Survives 01:44 — Healing the Blinded Prisoners 01:53 — Another Miraculous Deliverance 02:00 — Matthias Returns to Judea 02:09 — Opposition From the High Priest 02:18 — Matthias Is Brought Before the Sanhedrin 02:26 — Accusations Against Jesus Christ 02:33 — Matthias Defends Christ as the Messiah 02:40 — Jesus Christ, Son of God 02:46 — Matthias Is Condemned to Death 02:54 — Traditions About His Martyrdom 03:02 — St. Matthias Receives the Martyr’s Crown #StMatthias #SaintMatthias #MatthiasTheApostle #ApostleMatthias #JudasIscariot #TwelveApostles #TheApostles #JesusChrist #SeventyApostles #BiblicalSaints #ChristianMartyrs #CatholicSaints #OrthodoxSaints https://www.oca.org/saints/lives 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴