St. Simon the Apostle

Biography of St. Simon the Apostle

St. Simon, also known as Simon the Zealot or Simon the Cananean, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He is listed as one of the twelve apostles in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) and the Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament.

Simon was a fisherman by trade, along with his brother, St. James, son of Zebedee, before he was called by Jesus to be one of his disciples. According to the Bible, Jesus saw Simon and his brother James casting their nets into the sea, and he called them to become “fishers of men.”

Simon is known for his zealous nature and was referred to as “Simon the Zealot” in the Bible. This could refer to him being a member of the Zealot party, a political movement in first century Palestine that sought to overthrow Roman rule. Simon’s zeal carried on to his work as an apostle, spreading the message of Jesus Christ with great enthusiasm.

Simon was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus to be closest to him, and he was present at many of the significant events in the life of Jesus. He was present during the Transfiguration and the Last Supper and was present in the Garden of Gethsemane at Jesus’ arrest. Simon was also present at the crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus.

After the Ascension of Jesus, Simon continued to spread the message of Jesus as an apostle. He preached in Jerusalem, Samaria and Edessa. He is believed to have preached in Egypt and possibly other parts of Africa. He is believed to have been martyred for his faith, although the details of his death are not recorded in the Bible.

Simon is venerated as a saint by the Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Churches. He is considered to be the patron saint of builders and masons, as well as other craftspeople. His feast day is celebrated on October 28th by the Catholic Church.

Tradition says that Simon preached in Egypt and other parts of Africa and in Mesopotamia and Persia. He is believed to have suffered martyrdom at Suanir, Persia. His remains are claimed to be in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome and in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

St. Simon is remembered as one of the twelve apostles, who followed Jesus and spread the message of Christianity around the world, his example of faith and dedication continue to inspire people of all backgrounds to follow Jesus and be a part of the church.

Prayers to St. Simon the Apostle

O Saint Simon the Apostle, you were chosen by Jesus to be one of his closest disciples and to spread the Good News of the Gospel to the world. We ask for your intercession as we strive to live a life of faith and service. Grant us the wisdom and courage to follow your example, and to be a witness to Jesus in our own lives. Amen.

---

Dear Saint Simon the Apostle, you were present at many of the most important moments of Jesus’ life, including the Last Supper and the Resurrection. We ask for your guidance and protection as we seek to deepen our own relationship with Jesus. Help us to understand and live out the teachings of Jesus, as you did, and to be a source of hope and inspiration for others. Through your intercession, may we be able to imitate your faith and devotion to our Lord. Amen.

St. Simon the Apostle is the patron saint of:

• Blacksmiths and metalworkers, as it is said that he was a metal worker before becoming an apostle.
• Sawyers, as it is said that he was martyred by being sawed in half.
• Weavers, as it is said that he was also a weaver before becoming an apostle.
• Sculptors and painters, as it is said that he was a skilled artist and used his talents to spread the word of God.

It’s important to note that the legends surrounding St. Simon are not historically confirmed, but they have been passed down through the centuries and have become a part of the tradition.

 

Popular St. Simon the Apostle Rosary

Saints Similar to St. Simon the Apostle

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Jude Thaddeus. St. Simon the Apostle is sometimes referred to as Simon the Zealot, and St. Thaddeus is identified as one of the Twelve Apostles. They were early Christian missionaries. Next up: Biography of St. Sofia

 

Also check out our handmade St. Simon the Apostle Medal and St. Simon the Apostle Rosary and St. Simon the Apostle Rosary Bracelet .