Return to Needlepoint Collection
- Patron: Weetie Rankin
- Initial stitcher: Flo Rankin
- Finishing stitcher: Molly Berotti
- In memory of Homer Meade Rankin, Lutrelle McLennan Tift, and Amos Chapman Tift
St. Matthias the Apostle
St. Matthias the Apostle is represented by an axe, the instrument of his martyrdom.
In the nine days of waiting between Jesus’ Ascension and the Day of Pentecost, the disciples remained together in prayer. During this time, Peter reminded them that the defection and death of Judas had left the fellowship of the Twelve with a vacancy. The Acts of the Apostles records Peter’s proposal that “one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us — one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22). Two men were nominated, Joseph called Barsabbas who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. After prayer, the disciples cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, who was then enrolled with the eleven.
Nothing further is told of Matthias after his selection. According to tradition he was an exemplary Apostle, but we know nothing more. Matthias seems an appropriate example to Christians of one whose faithful companionship with Jesus qualifies him to be a suitable witness to the resurrection, and whose service is unheralded and unsung.
From Lesser Feasts and Fasts 2003