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Glossary

St Matthias

Matthias was the follower of Christ who was chosen by the remaining 11 apostles after Judas Iscariot's betrayal to replace Judas and restore their number to 12 (Acts 1: 21-6). He had been with Christ and the Twelve from the time of the Baptism to the Resurrection.

According to tradition, he undertook a peripatetic life, preaching Christ's word in various countries, but there is nothing more about his activities in the Bible.

His usual attribute is an axe or a halberd, supposedly the means of his martyrdom. He is the patron saint of coopers.