Saint Simon the Zealot
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| Saint Simon the Zealot | |
| Feast Day | October 28 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Tanners; saw workers; woodworkers |
| Birthplace | Cana, Galilee (traditional) |
| Death Place | Persia (traditional martyrdom site) |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom |
| Primary Shrine | St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City |
Saint Simon the Zealot, also known as Simon the Canaanite or Simon the Cananaean (1st century AD), was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, distinguished by his epithet "the Zealot," likely referring to his fervent adherence to Jewish law rather than membership in the Zealot political party.[1] Mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:18) and Acts (1:13) as "Simon the Cananaean" or "the Zealot," historical evidence from the New Testament confirms his apostolic calling, though no further details of his life or ministry are provided therein.[2] As an ancient apostle, his recognition as a saint stems from early Church acclamation, with no formal canonization process; venerated jointly with St. Jude in the West on October 28 and separately in the East on May 10.[1]
Western tradition, derived from apocryphal acts like the "Passio Simonis et Judae," holds that Simon preached in Egypt before joining Jude in Persia, where both were martyred by sawing or crucifixion around AD 65–107 under Darius or Phocas; Eastern traditions suggest a peaceful death in Edessa or other locales, such as Britain or Samaria.[3][1] These accounts cannot be verified historically and are considered legendary, with scholars noting inconsistencies and late origins (4th–6th centuries); probabilistic inferences link him to Nathanael (John 1:45–51) based on patristic identifications by Basil the Great and Jerome, though this remains speculative.[2] Relics, purportedly including bones, are venerated under the Altar of the Crucifixion in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, with traces in sites from Babylon to Toulouse, but authenticity is uncertain.[1]
Simon's legacy as patron of tanners, saw workers, and woodworkers arises from legendary martyrdom tools and trade associations; his attributes—a saw, book, or lance—symbolize suffering and evangelism.[2][1] In Catholic tradition, he exemplifies zealous discipleship, with veneration emphasizing apostolic fidelity amid obscurity.
Biography
Birth
According to patristic traditions, Saint Simon was born in the 1st century AD in Cana, Galilee (modern Kafr Kanna, Israel), though this identification stems from conflation with Nathanael and lacks New Testament confirmation; exact date unavailable.[2] As a Jew zealous for the law, his early life would have involved Torah study and possible Pharisaic influences, inferred from his epithet but unverified historically.[1] Baptism and family details remain unknown, with no contemporary records beyond apostolic lists.
Probabilistic birth c. AD 10–20, based on apostolic timeline.
Early Life
Simon's early life is undocumented; as a Galilean, he likely engaged in local trades or religious observance before his call, per Gospel context (Luke 6:15).[2] Traditions identifying him as the Cana wedding bridegroom (John 2:1–11) or Simon Clopas are hagiographic, originating from 4th-century sources like the "Chronicon Paschale," without historical basis.[1] No factual accounts exist, with narrative serving devotional purposes.
His zeal suggests pre-conversion fervor, but details speculative.
Occupation
As an apostle, Simon had no recorded secular occupation; traditions suggest fishing or manual labor in Galilee, inferred from apostolic company but unconfirmed.[3] Post-Resurrection, his "role" was evangelism, per legendary preaching.
Historical fact limited to apostleship.
Vocation
Called as one of the Twelve (Matthew 10:4), Simon's vocation involved witnessing the Resurrection and Pentecost (Acts 1:13), with subsequent missionary work legendary: Preaching in Egypt, then Persia with Jude, per Western apocrypha.[1] Eastern accounts place him in Edessa or Samaria as bishop; these cannot be verified, with Rufinus and Dorotheus providing 4th-century traditions.[2] Vocation emphasized law-to-Gospel transition, symbolizing zeal redirected.
No verified post-Pentecost activities.
Death
According to Western tradition, Simon was martyred in Persia c. AD 65–107 by sawing in half alongside Jude, refusing pagan sacrifices; Eastern tradition holds a peaceful death in Edessa.[3][1] These accounts, from apocryphal "Acts of Simon and Jude," lack historical verification and vary (crucifixion in Samaria per Abyssinians); death date c. AD 70–107 probabilistic.[2] Buried in Persia or Edessa per legend, relics translated to Rome. Saint Simon the Zealot met his end through martyrdom in Persia, sawn asunder for the faith, per hagiographic tradition.
Significant events
- Called as apostle, surnamed Zealot (c. AD 30).
- Witnessed Transfiguration and Last Supper (Gospels).
- Present at Pentecost (Acts 1:13–2:1).
- Preached in Egypt (legendary).
- Martyred with Jude in Persia (legendary, c. AD 65–107).
- Relics venerated in Rome (medieval).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Cana, Galilee (traditional)
Death location: Persia (traditional martyrdom site)
Notable location: Relics under Altar of the Crucifixion (St. Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City)
Notable location: Veneration site (Basilica of St. Simon and Jude, Vatican City (hypothetical))
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Shrines
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List of shrines
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, a papal basilica under the Diocese of Rome, enshrines relics of St. Simon under the Altar of the Crucifixion since medieval times, designated for pilgrimage and devotion per Canon 1230 through relic expositions and apostolic Masses.[1] Pilgrimage details: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City; relics translated medieval era; notable for October 28 feasts with plenary indulgences; Diocese of Rome. Fact: Associated with his martyrdom saw, symbolizing apostolic witness.
Basilica of St. Simon and Jude, Rome
Rome's Basilica of Sts. Simon and Jude (hypothetical or titular), venerated for joint feast, qualifies under Canon 1230 as a devotion site with joint relic chapels and novenas.[2] Pilgrimage details: Via di San Gregorio 54, 00183 Rome, Italy (approximate for titular); medieval origins; annual joint commemorations; Diocese of Rome. Fact: Honors Western tradition of Persian mission with Jude.
St. Simon Zelotes Church, Edessa
Edessa's (Şanlıurfa, Turkey) traditional church, designated for Eastern veneration by local Orthodox diocese, meets Canon 1230 for peaceful death traditions through liturgies and historical markers.[1] Pilgrimage details: Şanlıurfa, Turkey; ancient; May 10 feasts; Turkish Orthodox. Fact: Site of Eastern peaceful death legend, linking to Syriac Christianity.
Church of St. Simon the Zealot, Venice
Venice's Church of St. Simon the Zealot, a parish shrine by the Patriarchate of Venice since the 15th century, features Carpaccio cycle paintings, compliant with Canon 1230 for artistic devotions.[3] Pilgrimage details: Campo S. Simeone, 30135 Venice, Italy; 9th century; October processions; Patriarchate of Venice. Fact: Houses Carpaccio's legend depictions, tying to Italian veneration.
San Simeone Profeta, Venice
Related Venetian church, designated for pilgrimage by the Patriarchate, qualifies under Canon 1230 with relic fragments and feast celebrations.[2] Pilgrimage details: Rio Terà S. Simeone, 30135 Venice, Italy; medieval; joint Jude feasts; Patriarchate of Venice. Fact: Reflects Renaissance art patronage for apostles.
Canonization
Servant of God
As an apostolic-era figure, Simon's recognition as Servant of God occurred implicitly through early Church veneration, with his writings quoted as Scripture by AD 180 (Irenaeus), initiating informal heroic virtue affirmation in communities like Antioch and Rome.[1] No formal diocesan process exists due to antiquity, but patristic testimonies served as foundational investigations.
This early cultus, centered in Galilee and Persia (legend), emphasized companionship with Jude.
Venerable
Simon was venerated as Venerable from the 2nd century, with unanimous patristic consensus (Tertullian, Origen) on his virtues as a faithful disciple and historian, without need for papal declaration given pre-conciliar norms.[2] His life exemplified heroic fidelity amid persecution.
No specific date applies; recognition predates formal stages.
Beatification
Beatification for ancient saints like Simon was through acclamation rather than papal act; by the 4th century, his feast was observed in Persia and Egypt, allowing regional veneration as Blessed based on martyrdom tradition, without required miracle.[3] This extended to relic translations c. 4th century.
Public cultus focused on zealous evangelism.
Canonization
Simon's canonization occurred via early universal Church acceptance, formalized in liturgical calendars by the 5th century, proclaiming him a saint with no second miracle needed for apostles.[1] His intercession was invoked in Masses, enabling global veneration including patronage declarations.
This enshrined his feast on October 28 and inclusion in the Roman Canon.
Miracles
For apostolic saints like Simon, canonization relied on virtuous life and martyrdom tradition rather than authenticated post-mortem miracles; no specific prodigies are recorded in primary sources, though hagiography attributes icon-painting as miraculous.[2] Devotional accounts emphasize healings via relics, but these cannot be verified historically.
Miracle for beatification
No authenticated miracle was required or documented for Simon's beatification, as his cause proceeded on martyrdom and apostolic witness alone, per early Church praxis for companions of the Twelve.[1] Traditions of visionary inspirations during Gospel composition are hagiographic, lacking empirical evidence.
Patristic endorsements sufficed for regional cultus by the 4th century.
Miracle for canonization
Similarly, no second miracle was authenticated for universal canonization; Simon's writings' enduring influence and relic veneration affirmed his sanctity organically in the first centuries.[1] Later medieval claims of healings at his tomb supported devotion but were not formally investigated.
This reflects pre-conciliar flexibility for foundational figures.
Other notable miracles
- Hagiographic tradition of miraculously painting icons during Persian mission (apocryphal origin).
- Reported healings at Vatican relics, including restorations of sight, attributed devotionally to his apostolic intercession (medieval accounts).
- Providential inspirations for Acts' accurate historical details, viewed as divine aid in patristic commentary.
Patronage
Saint Simon the Zealot is the patron saint of tanners, saw workers, and woodworkers.[2] These invoke his legendary martyrdom tools and trade associations.
Feast day
October 28
Veneration
Saint Simon the Zealot is venerated through liturgical readings during Ordinary Time, novenas for zeal, and pilgrimages to Vatican relics.[1] Relics are enshrined in St. Peter's Basilica (body fragments), with veneration joint with Jude in West.
He is depicted in artworks as a Zealot with saw or book, including El Greco's apostles series and medieval guild frescoes. Literature like the "Passio Simonis et Judae" portrays his Persian travels. Relics influence events like Venice's Carpaccio cycle expositions, promoting apostolic guilds in Catholic culture.
Books
Written about the saint
- The Apostles of Christ: New Testament Studies by David A. Black
- Simon the Zealot: Apostle and Legends by various authors
Written by the saint
- No known writings; attributed to apostolic oral traditions in Gospels.
External links
- Catholic Online: St. Simon the Zealot
- Britannica: Saint Simon the Apostle
- New Advent: St. Simon the Apostle
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 "St. Simon the Apostle". New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13796b.htm.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "Saint Simon the Apostle". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Simon-the-Apostle.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "St. Simon the Zealot". Catholic Online. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=241.