Matthias, apostle – May 14th
St Matthias (Relics: Rome, Italy; Trier, Germany)
St Helena is said to have acquired the relics of St Matthias in the 4th century. These relics were then distributed to both Rome, Italy and Trier, Germany.
First Class Relics
Benediktinerabtei St Matthias
(Saint Matthias Benedictine Abbey)
Matthiasstraße 85
54290 Trier, Germany
*The tomb of St Matthias lies within the nave of this church and is surrounded by candles. A sarcophagus within the crypt is said to contain some of his relics.
Basilica of St Mary Major
Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore 42
Rome, Italy
*Some relics of St Matthias rest within the porphyry urn that makes up the base of the Papal Altar. Also in the confessio below this altar are five pieces of wood believed to be from the crib of Jesus Christ.
*The remains of St Jerome (d. 420) were brought to this basilica in the 12th century. There is some doubt as to their exact location. They either rest under the Papal Altar within the main body of the church or within the confessio in the right transept.
Churches of Honor
Abbazia Santa Giustina
(Abbey of Saint Justina)
Via Giuseppe Ferrari 2A
35123 Padova, Italy
*A decorated tomb within the right transept of this church is dedicated to St Matthias. Apart from the beautiful inscription upon the tomb which in Latin reads “Sors cecidit super Mathiam” the church provides no signage to support the presence of the apostle’s relics within the tomb. This is somewhat striking since directly across from his tomb the church explains in great detail the relics of St Luke. Some, nevertheless have argued that these relics of St Matthias were brought to Padua in the 8th century at about the same time as the arrival of St Luke’s relics. This tradition, however, conflicts with the even older tradition noted above of St Helena.
*The body of St Luke rests within the left transept of this church. A recent study upon these relics was conducted at the request of Archbishop Antonio Mattiazzo of Padua in 1998. This study determined that these relics are of an individual that would fit the description of St Luke.
