Saint Simon

"This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him."

(John 2:11)
Painting of the Icon of St. Simon at St. Mary and St. Joseph Coptic Orthodox Church

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Saint Simon The Zealot - The Canaanite

Saint Simon was born in Cana of Galilee and was called the Zealot, for he was a member of the revolting Zealots movement. They had a fervent zeal for the Mosaic Law. He was associated with them for about twenty years before the Lord called him.

His Wedding at Cana of Galilee and Eye Witness to The Lord's Miracles

Saint Simon was the one whose wedding the Lord Christ attended at Cana of Galilee and turned the water into wine. He was touched by the Lord Christ who called him for the ministry. Saint Simon left everything and followed Him.

He witnessed the feeding of the multitudes from the five loaves of bread and two fish. This saint is depicted in the icons of the Greek Church carrying a fishing rode with a fish or carrying a basket of bread.

The Lord's Twelve Disciples And Apostles

Our Lord Jesus Christ called His disciples individually at various occasions. Although the calling may have been similar with some, it differed from one to the other. Then at a certain time, He chose them as a group of twelve, called them Apostles, and gave them power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons (Mark 3:15). He sent them on their mission to preach about the Kingdom of Heaven. He gave them advice and instructions, explaining to them the difficulties they would encounter (Matt. 10: 5-42).

St. Luke the Evangelist narrated how Christ appointed seventy others and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go (Luke 10: 1-12). When St. Luke wrote, "after these things the Lord appointed seventy others also…" (Luke 10:1) he is distinguishing this mission from that of the Twelve Apostles, and is also showing that it came after the calling and mission of the Twelve.

Why did the Lord Choose Twelve Apostles?

Was it just a coincidence or does the number twelve denote a special significance? H.G. Bishop Gregorios, the general bishop for scientific studies, mentions in his book "The Twelve Apostles" that the great Teacher, our Lord Jesus Christ, had a certain reason for choosing twelve apostles. The number twelve is one of the numbers symbolizing perfection in the Holy Bible. Therefore, the tribes of Israel were twelve and there were the twelve patriarchs (Acts 7:8, Acts 26:8, James 1:1). The Twelve Apostles of Christ will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28 and Luke 22: 28-30).

In the Book of Revelation, there is a symbol of the Twelve Apostles. It is written, "now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars." (Rev. 12:1) The woman symbolizes the Church or the Holy Virgin Mary, the sun is our Lord Jesus Christ, the moon is John the Baptist, and the twelve stars are the Twelve Apostles. In talking about the Heavenly Jerusalem, the Book of Revelation mentions that "the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." (Rev. 21: 14). The number twelve has many meanings and is important in the economy of our salvation.

Therefore, when they became one less after the betrayal of Judas and his perdition, it was necessary to choose someone to replace him to fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 109:8, which St. Peter mentioned. At that time, the disciples were 120 and St. Peter stood in their midst and asked for a replacement for Judas from among those who accompanied the Lord and witnessed His acts and Resurrection. They chose St. Matthias the Apostle (Acts 1:15-26).

His Mission

After receiving the grace of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, St. Simon went to North Africa (Carthage) and from there he traveled to Spain. Then he preached in the British Isles along with St. Joseph of Arimathea and established a church for them. Then he returned to Palestine. Afterwards he accompanied the Apostle St. Judas (Thaddeus) and preached together in Syria and Mesopotamia (Iraq); then they went to Persia. There they found an army ready to invade India.

The Commander of the camp listened to the words of the two apostles, who preached to him the Lord Christ, His salvation, omnipotence, and his authority. Then, they told him; “tomorrow, messengers from India will come carrying a truce and it is in your favour”. When the prophecy was fulfilled, the two Apostles gained favor in the sight of the commander and his soldiers. They believed in the Lord Christ and a multitude of people also believed.

His Martyrdom

Then they went around preaching the Gospel until they came to the city of Shinar. The priests of the idols and the diviners stirred up the rulers and the people against the Apostles. They seized and cast them in prison.

When they commanded them to worship the sun and the stars, the Apostles confessed their faith in the Lord Christ openly and with complete courage. The people slew Saint Judas with an ax and spear, and Saint Simon was sawed to death. Thus, the two Saints received the crowns of martyrdom.

His Feast

The church celebrates the commemoration of his martyrdom on May 23rd - the 15th day of the Coptic month of Pashons.

References

Synaxarium- Coptic Reader App

LA Copts. Org

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