St. Matthias

Did the Apostle Matthias truly rest here in Trier at St. Matthias? This question has echoed through the centuries, drawing pilgrims to this very spot. St. Matthias Abbey isn’t just a beautiful Romanesque basilica. It’s a pilgrimage site, a monastic church, a parish, and a place of deep historical significance. The original abbey was named for Saint Eucharius, Trier’s first bishop. His tomb lies in the crypt below. But the discovery of relics in 1127 changed everything. These relics, believed to be those of the Apostle Matthias, elevated St. Matthias to a place of profound veneration. It became the only apostle’s burial site north of the Alps, a beacon of faith in Germany. Imagine the scene in the 12th century. Pilgrims arriving, drawn by the power of Matthias’s relics. The monks of St. Matthias toiling, creating manuscripts like the Collectaneum of Sedulius Scottus. The abbey thrived, even joining the Bursfelde Congregation in 1458 during a period of religious reform. Yet, St. Matthias Abbey’s journey wasn’t always peaceful. Secularization in 1802 threatened its very existence. Christoph Philipp Nell, a local businessman, stepped in, saving the abbey from demolition. Monks returned after World War I, breathing new life into the hallowed halls. They affiliated with the Congregation of the Annunciation by 1981. Today, St. Matthias continues its mission, partnering with Huysburg Priory. The monks engage in parish work, provide hospital care, and welcome pilgrims from near and far. Inside, you’ll find a Marian shrine, a venerated icon of the Virgin Mary. Look for the Chapel of the Cross, accessible by guided tour. It houses a 13th-century reliquary of the True Cross. Remember, St. Matthias is more than just stones and mortar. It’s a living testament to faith, resilience, and the enduring power of the Apostle’s legacy.