Synaxarium

On this day, Saint Simeon the Zealot, the famous apostle known as Simeon the Canonical, was martyred. He is mentioned by both Matthew and Mark as "the Canonical" (Matt 10:4, Mark 3:18), and by Luke in his Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles as "the Zealot" (Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13). The name Simeon means "listener," and it is said that the title "Zealot" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word "the Canonical." This title indicates that he was among the group of Zealots, the rebels known for their strict adherence to Mosaic rites.

Saint Simeon the Zealot was from the tribe of Ephraim. His father's name was Philip. It is said that he was the bridegroom at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, where the Lord Jesus Christ turned water into wine. Because of that miracle, he left everything and followed the Savior. He became one of the twelve disciples (the lamp of darkness for the sons of Kober). He was present at the miracle of the five loaves and two fish, which is why Greek icons depict him holding a fishing rod with a fish and carrying a basket of bread. Some confuse him with Simon the brother of the Lord and brother of James the Just and Jude the Apostle, who became bishop of Jerusalem in 106 AD succeeding James the Just, but this is a mistake. The Simeon we speak of is one of the twelve apostles.

Saint Simeon preached in North Africa (Carthage), then Spain, then the islands of Britain with Saint Joseph the Arimathean, where he established a church. Then he traveled to Syria and Palestine accompanied by Saint Thaddaeus the Apostle (Jude the Apostle). Then they went to Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Persia. When they arrived in Persia, they found its armies preparing to attack India. When they entered the camp, the demons who spoke prophecies through sorcerers fell silent. One of the idols spoke, saying this was because of Thaddaeus and Simeon, apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. The commander brought them to learn the reason. They preached to him about the Lord Jesus Christ. They told him, "Tomorrow, messengers from India will come to you bearing peace for your benefit." This came to pass. Their status grew greatly with him, and he believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. A large crowd followed them. The two apostles traveled preaching until they entered Sennar, where the idol priests rebelled. They seized and imprisoned them, then ordered them to worship the sun and planets. They refused openly in the name of the Lord Jesus with great courage. They killed Saint Thaddaeus with an axe and spear and spread Saint Simeon the Canonical.

It is said that their bodies are preserved in the church of Saint Peter in Rome, with parts of their relics in the church of Saint Satorbinus in Spain, and other parts in the monastery of Norit in Cologne, Germany.

May the blessing of their prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day, four hundred martyrs were martyred in the city of Dendera after enduring many tortures. This occurred in the late reign of Diocletian. May their prayers be with us. Amen.

On this day, we commemorate the deacon Mina the Hermit. May his prayers guard us until the last breath.

And to our Lord be glory forever. Amen.