Simon the Zealot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SaintSimon the Zealot |
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St. Simon, by Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1611), from his Twelve Apostles series at the Museo del Prado, Madrid
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| Apostle, Preacher, Martyr | |
| Born | c. 5 AD Cana, Galilee, Judaea, Roman Empire |
| Died | ~65 AD (aged ~60) numerous versions, including Province of Britain, Roman Empire |
| Venerated in | All Christian denominations that venerate saints |
| Major shrine | relics claimed by many places, including Toulouse; Saint Peter's Basilica |
| Feast | October 28 (Western Christianity) May 10 (Byzantine Christianity) Pashons 15 (Coptic Christianity) ግንቦት 15 (Ethiopian Christianity) July 1 (medieval Hispanic liturgy as attested by sources of the time, such as the Antiphonary of León) |
| Attributes | boat; cross and saw; fish (or two fish); lance; man being sawn in two longitudinally; oar |
| Patronage | curriers; sawyers; tanners |
Simon the Zealot was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He is mentioned in the New Testament in the Bible. To tell him apart from Simon Peter, he was given the nickname "the Zealot" or "the Canaanite."
Contents
Who Was Simon the Zealot?
The name Simon appears in all the lists of apostles in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and the Book of Acts. He is always listed without many extra details.
The Bible says:
Simon, (whom he also named Peter), and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
Why "the Zealot"?
In the books of Luke and Acts, Simon is called "Zelotes." This name likely means he was a very enthusiastic or "zealous" person. Some people think he might have been part of a group called the Zealots. This was a political group in ancient Judea that was very passionate about Jewish independence.
In Matthew and Mark, he is called "Kananites" or "Kananaios." These words come from a Hebrew word that also means "zealous." So, most experts today agree that both names mean he was a "Zealot" in the sense of being very enthusiastic.
However, some early Christian writers, like Jerome, thought "Kananaios" might mean he was from a town called Cana in Galilee. If that were true, his nickname would simply mean "from Cana."
Other Ideas About Simon
Some people have wondered if Simon the Zealot was the same person as Simon, one of Jesus's brothers. The Bible mentions Jesus having brothers, including one named Simon.
Another idea is that he was Simeon of Jerusalem, who became the second leader (bishop) of Jerusalem after James the Just. However, these are just ideas, and the Bible doesn't clearly say they are the same person.
What Happened to Simon?
Later traditions and stories, not found in the Bible, tell us more about Simon. In many of these stories, Simon is often linked with Jude the Apostle. They are said to have traveled together to spread the Christian message.
Missionary Journeys and Death
- One popular story says that Simon and Jude traveled to Persia and Armenia (or Beirut in modern-day Lebanon). They are believed to have died there around 65 AD. This story is found in a famous collection of saints' lives called the Golden Legend.
- Another tradition says Simon went on a missionary trip to Georgia and died in a place called Nicopsia, near the Black Sea. His remains were later moved to Anakopia.
- Some stories suggest he traveled through the Middle East and Africa.
- There's also a tradition that he visited Roman Britain (modern-day England) and was crucified there around 61 AD.
- Another tradition says he died peacefully in Edessa.
It's important to remember that these stories come from later traditions and are not in the Bible itself.
Simon as a Saint
Simon, like the other apostles, is considered a saint by many Christian churches. This includes the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Anglican Communion. His feast day, which is a special day to remember him, is often celebrated on October 28 in Western Christianity, usually along with Jude the Apostle.
Simon in Art
In Christian art, you can often recognize Simon because he is shown with a saw. This is because, according to one tradition, he was martyred by being sawn in half.
Gallery
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Simon the Zealot by Caravaggio
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Statue of Saint Simon (1708-09) by Francesco Moratti in the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran
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Simon Zelotes, a 16th-century fresco, on the eastern wall of the Evangelical church of Leihgestern
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Statue of Simon the Zealot by Hermann Schievelbein at the roof of the Helsinki Cathedral
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The Apostle Simon the Zealot by Georg Gsell
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Saint Simon by James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum
Simon in Islam
In Islam, Simon is also recognized as one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. Muslim traditions say that Simon was sent to preach about God to the Berber people in North Africa.
See also
In Spanish: Simón (apóstol) para niños
