Matthiass (ST.) Day,
a festival observed on the 24th of February in the Church of Rome, with a provision that in leap-year it should be observed on the 25th. In the Church of England it is usually observed on the 24th of February, even in leap- years. In the Greek Church St. Matthias's day is held on the 9th of August. The date of the introduction of this festival is involved in obscurity. Some suppose it was first established in the 11th century, others in the 8th. See Farrar, Eccles. Dict. s.v.; Eadie, Eccles. Dict. s.v.; Broughton, Biblioth. Hist. Sac. 2:76.