Apostle Symeon

Apostle Symeon

The holy, glorious, all-laudable Apostle and Hieromartyr Symeon the Kinsman of the Lord (Simeon) of the Seventy, was the second Bishop of Jerusalem, serving for the period of 67 to 107. He is commemorated by the Church on April 27, and on January 4 with the Seventy.

Life

St. Symeon was the son of Cleopas, the younger brother of St. Joseph the Betrothed. He was a witness to the miracles of Jesus Christ and came to believe in him.

After the Apostle James, first bishop of Jerusalem, was killed in 63 AD, the Christians elected the Apostle Symeon to take his place. During the reign of Emperor Trajan, it was reported to the Roman governor Atticus that St. Symeon was of the lineage of King David and that he confessed the Christian Faith. The pagans seized St. Symeon, at that time already 100 years of age, and after prolonged torture, crucified him.

St. Symeon is mentioned in Acts 13:1: "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul."

Hymns

Troparion (Tone 1) [1]

We praise you as a kinsman of Christ,

A great hierarch and a steadfast martyr, O Symeon,

Who destroyed deceit and kept the faith;

Wherefore celebrating now your all-holy memory,

Through your prayers we receive forgiveness of sins.

Kontakion (Tone 4) [2]

Having the eloquent Symeon as a magnificent star,

The Church is enlightened and cries:

Rejoice, O precious crown of the martyrs!

Kontakion (Tone 2) [3]

As one who had become a citizen of Zion on high,

You were ordained to the throne of Zion below.

You guided your flock to the heavenly sheepfold

And were crucified for Christ,

Imitating his passion, O Symeon!

Source

• Apostle and Hieromartyr Simeon the Kinsman of the Lord

External links

• Apostle Simeon, of the Seventy, the son of Cleophas, January 4 (OCA)
• Hieromartyr Simeon, the Kinsman of the Lord, April 27 (OCA)
• Symeon the Holy Martyr (GOARCH)