Saint Simon the zealot was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. He was part of the zealot movement prior to following Jesus. Little is known about Simon’s life, but it is believed he was born in Cana or Galilee. As an apostle, Simon helped spread the teachings of Jesus and the Christian faith. He is traditionally associated with St. Jude as they are both referred to as “brethren” of Jesus. Simon preached in Egypt and then joined Jude in Persia where they were martyred together in 65 AD. Simon is the patron saint of tanners.
Simon the Zealot’s Background
Simon means “he has heard” and referred to as the Cananaean or the Zealot. Before following Jesus, Simon belonged to a Jewish nationalist movement called the Zealots who opposed Roman rule. As a disciple, Simon helped spread Jesus’s teachings. Along with the other apostles he travelled and preached the Gospel after Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit. Christian tradition connects him with Jude as they were both referred to as “brethren” of Jesus. Together Simon and Jude spread the faith to Egypt and then Persia where it is believed they were martyred in 65 AD.
Simon the Zealot’s Life and Legacy
Little is known about Simon’s life prior to becoming an apostle. He was probably from Galilee or Cana. The Zealots opposed Roman rule over Judea and sought to incite rebellion. They wanted to restore Jewish independence. However, Jesus’s teachings of peace and submission challenged Simon’s zealotry. As an apostle, Simon ultimately rejected violence. He embraced Jesus’s message of love and forgiveness. Along with the other apostles, Simon helped establish the early Christian church. He likely travelled and preached with Jude. The traditions around Simon’s life are limited but he was an important early follower of Christ.
Simon the Zealot’s Ministry
After receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Simon went on missionary journeys to preach about Jesus. He travelled with Jude to many regions bringing converts to Christianity. Simon and Jude ventured to Egypt to spread the Gospel message there. Christian tradition states that the pagans of Egypt were stirred to anger by Simon’s preaching and martyred him in 65AD by sawing him in half. However, other traditions say he was crucified in Persia with Jude. Regardless of the manner of death, Simon remained committed to spreading the faith established by Jesus even in the face of persecution and danger. His sacrifice contributed to the early growth of Christianity.
Simon the Zealot’s Connection to Jude
Simon and Jude are linked together as apostles and martyrs. In the Gospels, Simon is called a “Cananaean” while Jude is called “Thaddaeus”. However, this surname likely refers to the same person. Cananaean means “the Zealot” indicating Simon belonged to the Jewish Zealot movement before following Jesus. Thaddaeus may have been used to differentiate between all the Simons and Judases among the Twelve Apostles. Since they share a common epithet of “brethren of Jesus”, Simon the Zealot and Thaddaeus Jude are considered the same apostle. They travelled together spreading Christianity to Egypt, Persia and surrounding lands. Both were martyred for their faith, though the traditions differ on exact details. Regardless, Simon and Jude’s joint evangelism contributed greatly to the early church.
Simon the Zealot’s Legacy
Though his background was rooted in political activism and zealotry, Simon ultimately rejected violence in favor of Jesus’s message of compassion. His life represents a transformation from anger to peace, from hatred to love. Despite facing persecution for his beliefs, Simon never wavered in preaching the Gospel. Along with Jude, he helped convert thousands to Christianity in Egypt, Persia and beyond. Simon exemplified courage, commitment and sacrifice for his faith. He is honored today as one of the apostles who spread Jesus’s teachings and established the Christian church. The life of Simon the Zealot remains an inspiration to followers of Christ.
Feast Day: October 28
References
Mal Couch, ed. A Bible Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles. Kregel Academic, 1999.
McBirnie, William Steuart. The Search for the Twelve Apostles. Tyndale House Publishers, 1973.
Ruffin, Bernard. The Twelve: The Lives of the Apostles After Calvary. Our Sunday Visitor, 1997.