Saint Simon the Zealot, Apostle
The apostle nicknamed the Zealot, known almost only by name
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- The Twelve Apostles, Apostle, Martyr, Biblical figure
- Feast
- 28 October
- Countries
- Israel, Iran
Life story
Simon is named in the lists of the Twelve in Matthew 10, Mark 3, Luke 6 and Acts 1. The first two Gospels call him the Cananaean, an Aramaic-based word, while Luke and Acts translate it as the Zealot, in Greek Zelotes. Apart from these lists, the New Testament records no words or actions of his, and it does not mention his family or hometown.
The nickname has been read in two ways. Some scholars think it simply describes zeal for the Law of Moses. Others suggest he once belonged to the militant nationalist movement of the Zealots, which grew strong during the later revolt against Rome. That group only took clear shape decades after the time of Jesus, so this theory remains uncertain.
Everything else about him belongs to tradition. Early Christian texts, mostly legendary works written centuries later, say he preached in Egypt and then in Persia together with Jude Thaddeus, and that both were martyred there. These texts describe him being sawn in two, but that detail has no reliable early source. Other traditions place his mission in Britain or around the Black Sea. For this reason his place and year of death are not known with certainty. The Church celebrates him together with Saint Jude Thaddeus on 28 October.
Works and witness
- Named in all four New Testament lists of the Twelve
- Bears the nickname Cananaean or Zealot, whose meaning is debated
- According to late tradition, preached in Egypt and Persia
- Celebrated with Saint Jude Thaddeus on 28 October
Saints from the same country
References
- New Testament – Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke; Acts of the Apostles
- Martyrologium Romanum
- Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.