ST. MATTHIAS (FEB. 24TH)
St. Matthias, the 13th Apostle By Bp. Joseph ( Ancient Church of the West ) On the 24th of February, we celebrate the memory of St. Matthias, the first Apostle chosen by Council for the episcopal ministry, after Christ’s resurrection and ascension into heaven. The election and ordination of St. Mathias established the precedent for the episcopal office within the Church, which functions in Apostolic Succession and submission to the Councils of the Church, flowing down to us by the laying on of hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:23-26 it says - “And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, 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. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbe...
