<Tr> <Th> Attributes </Th> <Td> axe </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Patronage </Th> <Td> alcoholics; carpenters; Gary, Indiana; Great Falls - Billings, Montana; smallpox; tailors; hope; perseverance </Td> </Tr> <P> Matthias (Hebrew transliteration: Mattityahu; Koine Greek: Μαθθίας; died c. 80 AD) was, according to the Acts of the Apostles, the apostle chosen by lot to replace Judas Iscariot following Judas' betrayal of Jesus and his subsequent death . 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 . </P> <P> There is no mention of a Matthias among the lists of disciples or followers of Jesus in the three synoptic gospels, but according to Acts, he had been with Jesus from his baptism by John until his Ascension . In the days following, Peter proposed that the assembled disciples, who numbered about one hundred - twenty, nominate two men to replace Judas . They chose Joseph called Barsabas (whose surname was Justus) and Matthias . Then they prayed, "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all (men), shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place ." Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was numbered with the eleven apostles . Matthias was present with the other apostles at Pentecost . </P>

Who replaced judas as a disciple of jesus