Saint Simon the Zealot: Life, Martyrdom, and Prayers
Simon the Zealot, or Simon the Canaanite according to the Gospels, should not be confused with Simon Peter, the brother of Saint Andrew. An apostle of Christ, Saint Simon was called “the Zealot” because he was certainly a member of the group of “Zealots” who opposed the Roman presence in Jerusalem. His nickname “the Canaanite” simply comes from his origins. An evangelist, he died a martyr after enduring excruciating suffering. Saint Simon is an example to all Christians of devotion, holiness, and self-sacrifice. His faith enabled him to endure everything. The Apostle Simon is celebrated on October 28 and is the patron saint of marriage. He is especially invoked by newlyweds.
Biography of Saint Simon the Apostle
There is very little information available about the life of Saint Simon the Apostle. However, it is known that after Pentecost, Simon set out to evangelize Egypt and the Berber peoples. According to some sources, he then joined Saint Jude the Apostle on the other side of the Euphrates to preach in Persia (which was part of the Parthian Empire) and in Armenia. Other sources report that he actually joined the Apostle Saint Andrew in the Black Sea region, more specifically in present-day Abkhazia. He is even said to have stayed in a cave in Sebastopolis (now called Sukhumi).
The Gregorian chronicles recount that after proclaiming the Good News in Persia, he was martyred—sawed in two—in the city of Nikopsia (on the Circassian border) or in Suanir (near New Athos).
Pray to Saint Simon the Zealot
Prayer to Saint Simon to Guide the Popes
“Lord Jesus, we give you thanks because you pray with us and for us.
We entrust to you all those whom you have sent to follow in the footsteps of your apostles,
and in particular our bishops, their successors.
We entrust them to you so that,
following in the footsteps of Saint Simon and Saint Jude,
they may guide the faithful in proclaiming the Gospel to those who do not know it.”
Prayer for the Feast of Saints Simon and Jude
“Eternal and almighty God, through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, you founded your Church upon the Twelve Apostles and sustain it in the apostolic succession, united and steadfast around the successor of Peter. On this feast of Saints Simon and Jude, we wish to bless you in this spiritual temple that is your Church and our Church; we wish to glorify you by acknowledging its unity and our mission within it.
Jesus, Wisdom of God the Father, grant that I may recognize you in my daily life as the One who calls me; grant that I may know your choice and experience your love, so that I may fill the passing of time with love.
O Jesus, you are the Master and Lord of my life; to you I cry out: come and touch me; come and deliver me from paralysis and darkness. Your light shines in the Temple of your Church; I want to enter it more deeply, even though I am but a wretched sinner. I want to ascend your holy mountain and draw near to your altar, to praise you until the end of my days. Amen.”
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Saint Simon is associated with , so pray to him along with Saint Jude to ask for his intercession!
Join the Apostle Saint Simon in this !
