Matthias of Jerusalem

Saint Matthias was bishop of Jerusalem in the second century, about 113 to 120, or appointed in 117 according to some sources. He was of Jewish descent and shepherded the church in a hard time for the Christians of Palestine. He reposed in 120, and the Church commemorates him on 30 January.

His episcopate

On the list of Eusebius of Caesarea, Matthias was the eighth bishop of Jerusalem of those from the circumcision. He is thought to have held the see for a few years, after Tobias, until 120. A Greek source gives John I as his predecessor. Eusebius says he was a Jewish Christian.

In his time the political situation was tense, because of Roman persecution of Christians and a Jewish uprising. The persecution under the emperor Hadrian (117 to 138) is said to have touched him as well, but he died peacefully about 120.

Commemoration

In the Eastern churches his cult is not attested. The Catholic Church honours him as a saint on 30 January, following the Roman Martyrology. Ado of Vienne first put him in his martyrology, from which he passed to Usuard and then to Baronius, who added that he had suffered martyrdom under Hadrian.