Orthodox Icon of Saint Mattias

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August 9th Troparion (Tone 3)
Called by the Holy Spirit thou didst complement the twelvefold choir of the Apostles. Thou didst proclaim with them the condescension of God the Word, O wondrous and glorious Apostle Mattias. Pray that all who praise thee may receive great mercy and the forgiveness of their sins.

Matthias was born in Bethlehem and was a student of St. Simeon. He followed the Lord from the start of His ministry in Jerusalem. He was one of the 70, then was chosen by lot to take Judas' place as one of the Twelve great Apostles. (Acts 1:23) Apostle Matthias preached the gospel in Judea, then Ethiopia. There is also a report of him miraculously escaping from prison for preaching in Macedonia. He continued his ministry by returning to preach in Judea. The high priest Ananias tried him and condemned him to death. The Jews stoned Matthias to death. Then they took an axe and severed his head. This was a Roman form of execution. They did this to in some bizarre way show to the Romans that he had opposed Rome. Thus the Holy Apostle finished his course and entered into the joy of the Lord.

This Icon is by the hand of Nicholas Papas and is part of a "Communion of the Apostles" Icon at St. Michael's Antiochian Orthodox Church, Monessen, PA.

Order #bmp-23