St. Simon Facts

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Facts St. Simon

Apostle Simon the Zealot facts made us understand that Simon was a political activist in his younger years. Why would Jesus choose someone with this background?

“It is amazing that Jesus would select a man like Simon to be an apostle.

But he was a man of fierce loyalties, amazing passion, courage, and zeal.

Simon believed the truth and embraced Christ as his Lord. The fiery enthusiasm he once had for Israel was now expressed in his devotion to Christ.”

Simon’s strength was his inspirational loyalty.

When the apostles found a man or woman who floundered in indecision about entering the kingdom, they would send for Simon.

Simon the Apostle Facts and Symbol

The apostle Simon the Zealot facts show us that Simon does not have a prominent role in the New Testament, just like most of the apostles. We know very little about him from the Bible, except that he was a member of the Zealots.

The Zealots fought against Roman rule in Israel, and they wanted to preserve their Jewish religion in the face of Roman hostility. The historian, Josephus, gives us most of our information about the Zealots, though he can be an untrustworthy source.

apostle simon the zealot facts
Canvas print depicting saint Simon, the saint stands out alone, the colours are lively, the saint is dressed in a simple way as to show that the apostles were common men of their times, this basic dress also exalts the divine dimension of the saint.

He writes that the Zealots started the rebellion against Rome that lead to the destruction of Jerusalem. The Zealots also committed the abomination that causes desolation that Jesus predicted in the gospels.

Simon’s great weakness was his material-mindedness. He could not quickly change himself from a Jewish nationalist to a spiritually-minded internationalist.

Four years was too short a time in which to make such an intellectual and emotional transformation, but Jesus was always patient with him. The one thing about Jesus that Simon so much admired was the Master’s calmness, assurance, poise, and inexplicable composure.

Although Simon was a rabid revolutionist, a fearless firebrand of agitation, he gradually subdued his fiery nature until he became a powerful and effective preacher of “Peace on earth and goodwill among men.”

Apostle Simon the Zealot Facts give a great impression that Simon was a great debater; he did like to argue. And when it came to dealing with the legalistic minds of the educated Jews or the intellectual quibbling of the Greeks, the task was always assigned to Simon.

The fact that Zealot was always biblically attached to Simon’s name most likely indicates that he belonged to the eponymous Jewish sect and a political faction of the time.

Simon, however, would have left the Zealots behind when he followed Jesus. Tradition has it that he traveled with St. Jude, also called Thaddeus, or Labeus, to Persia where both were martyred. His persecutors killed him by cutting him in half with a saw. Others claim he was killed by crucifixion.

Basil the Great, however, recalls a different tradition. He claimed that Simon died peacefully in Edessa, Greece. Simon’s symbol is a fish over a Bible showing his faithful mission. He is also frequently represented by a saw.

martyrdom of st simon the zealot
Detail of a fresco by Pomarancio in the church St Nereus and Achilleus in Rome. It depicts the death of St Simon the apostle, who was believed to have been sawn in half by the Persians.

A Zeal for Jesus

One thing Apostle Simon the Zealot facts tell us is we can conclude is Simon’s zeal turned from overthrowing governments to following Jesus’ teachings. Despite the lack of mention in the Gospels, the Bible cites his name in Acts 1:13, where the disciples met together the day after Jesus ascended to heaven.

“And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus; and Simon the Zealot; and Judas, the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” Acts 1:13; Acts 1:14

Apostle Simon the Zealot Facts write that Simon followed Jesus throughout Jesus’ ministry and continued after the Lord’s death and ascension; however, the only Biblical evidence of this was his involvement in choosing a new disciple as a replacement for Judas Iscariot in Acts 1:23; Acts 1:24; Acts 1:25; Acts 1:26. Yet, despite the lack of clear verification, additional historical observations tell us he went on to proclaim the Good News for the remainder of his life.

Regardless, it’s clear Simon’s zeal is why Jesus asked him to join His group of disciples. A zeal he held onto throughout his life, even to the point of death.

Simon’s Sainthood

Apostle Simon the Zealot facts tell us that like the other Holy Apostles, Simon is regarded as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Catholic Churches, the Anglican Church, and the Lutheran Church.

Prayer to Saint Simon (The Zealot) The Apostle

saint simon the zealot prayer
O Glorious Saint Simon, you were a cousin of Jesus and a devoted follower as well. You were called “the Zealot,” indicating that you were willing to give your life for your religion and your freedom as a human person. Obtain for us the grace to be willing to give our lives for Christ and to labor for the freedom and peace that only God can give. Help us to spend ourselves for God on earth and be received by him in eternal bliss in heaven. Amen

Conclusion Apostle Simon the Zealot Facts

Simon the Apostle facts have shown that Simon the Zealot is one of the greatest causes of the changing power of Christ. He was a Zealot for much of his life, which meant he was extremely legalistic and held a deep-set hatred towards the Romans and any who had dealings with them. Simon was called by Jesus and was completely changed.

Jesus’ power removed the seeded hatred from his heart and instilled compassion, love, and zeal for Christ within him. Simon retained the moniker the Zealot because of his unwavering faith in Jesus, rather than for his formerly hateful ways.

There is not much else told about Simon within the Bible. It is most commonly assumed that he was crucified as a martyr for God. His symbol in the Catholic church is a fish resting on a Bible. This is to represent his initial beginnings as a fisherman who grew to become a fisher of men through the saving grace of Jesus.

#1. How was apostle Simon married?

#2. What is apostle Simon's western feast day?

#3. What's Simon's apostolic symbol?

#4. What is apostle Simon's eastern feast day?

#5. What's apostle Simon's feast day according to the Coptic calendar?

#6. Which among these is not Simons's personality after he became an apostle of Christ?

#7. When was apostle Simon born?

#8. Which apostle preached alongside Simon in Syria and Mesopotamia?

#9. Which book of the Bible refers to Simon as tanzanite?

#10. How many other Simons were mentioned in the new testament outside Simon's apostle?

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Resources Apostle Simon the Zealot Facts

https://truthbook.com/jesus/twelve-apostles/simon-the-zealot
https://ourlordstyle.com/blogs/christian-writings/classic-christian-symbols-and-their-meaning (page is gone)
https://steppesoffaith.medium.com/who-was-simon-the-zealot-in-the-bible-3782095c943b

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