Today we mark the anniversary of Matthias’ death. He died after being stoned and beheaded and therefore most paintings of him show him holding an axe.

He was the disciple chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus and later committed suicide. Greek tradition tells us that he spread the Gospel in Cappadocia and the coasts of the Caspian sea, living near the port of Issus. He later spread the faith in the region of Colchis, which is in modern day Georgia.