Simon the Zealot (Kananit) is one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot Apostle Simon the Zealot

Memory Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot takes place in the Orthodox Church on May 23 according to the new style, and also on July 13, on the day of the Council of the Twelve Apostles.

Biography of Saint Simon the Zealot
Very little is known about the life of St. Simon the Zealot, although his name is mentioned in the list of the twelve apostles, which is given by all three weather forecasters. In addition, it is written about him in the book of Acts. It is believed that he was from Cana of Galilee, and it was in his house that the Lord performed the first miracle, turning ordinary water into fine wine at a wedding, after which Simon believed in Him and from that time began to follow the Savior, becoming one of His closest disciples. There is a tradition according to which Simon the Zealot was the son of Joseph the betrothed and thus was the half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Since among the twelve apostles there was already one disciple with the name Simon (aka Peter), the second Simon was given the nickname Kananite, which indicated his origin from Cana of Galilee. The exact location of this ancient settlement is unknown, but it is believed that it was located on the site of the current village of Kafr Kana in Israel, where a large temple was later erected, called the Church of the Wedding.
In addition, the apostle Simon is sometimes called the Zealot. The exact origin of this nickname is not entirely clear, but it can be assumed that it indicates that the apostle belongs to the religious and political direction of the Zealots. This trend arose in the era of the Maccabees in the middle of the 1st century BC and reached its apogee in the first half of the 1st century after the birth of Christ. The Zealot movement was very radical. The adherents of this trend set as their goal the liberation of Judea from the power of Rome and the Hellenistic influence, which manifested itself not only in the political, but also in the religious life of the country. So, for example, in 66, at the behest of the Roman governor, all silver was seized from the Jerusalem temple, which served as a pretext for the start of the Jewish War, started by the Zealots. Although during the earthly life of the Lord Jesus Christ the party of Zealots had not yet resorted to such decisive actions as an uprising against Roman rule, even then they were distinguished by great national self-consciousness, firmly believing in a special mission and the chosenness of the Jewish people. Simon's belonging to this party suggests that religious issues were extremely important to him. Having believed in Christ as the promised Messiah and Savior, he began to preach the new faith with the same zeal with which he previously confessed the teaching of Moses.
After the Ascension of the Lord, Saint Simon the Zealot began his apostolic service, first in Judea, where he became the second bishop of Jerusalem after the martyrdom of the Apostle James, and then he preached Christianity in Egypt, Libya, and Abkhazia. It is also possible that he accompanied the Apostle Judas Jacob on his missionary journey in Persia. It is known that Simon the Zealot was martyred in the Caucasus around the year 107.

Icon of the Apostle Simon the Zealot
There is no single iconography of the holy Apostle Simon the Zealot, however, he is often depicted as an old man with gray hair with a book or a scroll. These objects are obligatory attributes on the icons of the apostles, as they symbolize their preaching activity and the spread of the word of God among the pagans. In addition, on the icons of Simon the Zealot, you can see the saw that he holds in his hands, which recalls his martyrdom. According to legend, the holy apostle was sawn up with a saw.

Slavic traditions of celebrating Simon's Day
For many Slavic peoples, this day was considered special, since after the celebration of the memory of Simon Kananit, agricultural work began. Therefore, on the very day of the holiday, the earth was given a rest, without doing any work in the field.

Troparion, tone 3:
Apostle Saint Simone, / pray to the merciful God, / yes, forgiveness of sins / / will give our souls.

Kontakion, tone 2:
We know the wisdom of the teachings in the souls of the pious who have been laid down / in praise we will appease, like the God-speaking, all Simon: / the throne of glory now stands and rejoices with the Incorporeal, / praying unceasingly for all of us.

Greatness:
We magnify thee, / the apostle of Christ Simone / and we honor your illnesses and labors, / in the image you worked / in the gospel of Christ.

Prayer:
Holy, glorious and all-praiseable Apostle of Christ Simone, who was honored to receive into your house in Cana of Galilee our Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, Our Lady Theotokos, and to be an eyewitness to the glorious miracle of Christ, manifested on your brother, turning water into wine! We pray to you with faith and love: implore Christ the Lord to transform our souls from sin-loving into God-loving; save and keep us with your prayers from the temptations of the devil and the falls of sin, and ask us from above for help during our despondency and helplessness; let us not stumble over the stone of temptation, but steadily walk the saving path of the commandments of Christ, until we reach these blessed abodes of paradise, where you are now settling down and having fun. Hey, Apostle of the Savior! Do not disgrace us, who trust in you, but be your helper and patron in all our lives and help us piously and God-pleasingly end this temporary life, receive a good and peaceful Christian death and be worthy of a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ; Yes, having escaped the ordeals of the air and the power of the fierce world-keeper, let us inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and glorify the magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

School of Life" and writes literally the following: "In some publications ("Lives of All Saints", John Bukharev, Moscow, 1900) it is said that Simeon was crucified on a cross in Britain, where he was allegedly buried, but Russian Orthodox the church considers this opinion to be false. " The same opinion is also replicated by some other Russian-language sites, which believe that in Western Europe the saint could not be crucified or tortured, but only in his native lands.

Nevertheless, the English Wikipedia provides information that the holy apostle Simon Canonite, apparently, preached in ancient Glastonbury, and was martyred in Caistor (modern Lincolnshire).

So, there is a point of view that the holy apostle Simon the Zealot preached on the islands of Great Britain and was crucified there by local pagans. It is quite logical if you follow his footsteps through all of North Africa to the west. But there is no evidence. Just one of the stories.

The second version of the life path of Simon the Zealot as an apostle ends in ancient Babylon (modern Iraq). For example, this version is given in the German Wikipedia, and in general is widespread in the Near and Middle East. Moreover, from Jerusalem, the apostle went to preach the Gospel through the ancient city of Edessa. In Babylon, the apostle was executed along with the apostle Judas Thaddeus.

Finally, the third version, used exclusively within the Russian Empire, and even now, boils down to the fact that after Edessa, the Apostle Thaddeus retreated to the Caucasian borders and settled in solitude and for preaching in a cave above the small river Psyrtsha. As it is written in the article "What do we know about Simon the Zealot?", thanks to his sermon, "the cruel pagan custom of sacrificing babies and cannibalism to the gods was destroyed in Abkhazia." At present, on the site of the spiritual feat of the apostle, the New Athos Monastery is again functioning and the cave in which the holy apostle lived has been restored. Also marked is the place above the river where the holy apostle was executed. Tradition says that the pagans cut off his head and that red spots of the apostle's blood still appear at the place of execution. But, again, this is only one of several versions of the death of a disciple of Christ.

In the Western Christian tradition, Simon the Zealot is usually depicted holding a saw, because, as the legend says, he was sawn up with a saw.

Relics of the Holy Apostle

The Caucasian version of the death of Simol the Zealot tells that his relics rest under a bushel in the destroyed Simon-Kananitsky temple in Abkhazia. Nevertheless, part of his relics can be traced in different countries and cities of Western Europe: Rome and German Cologne and Hersfeld. In Cologne, pilgrims can pray and bow their heads at a piece of relics stored and available to visitors in the Basilica of St. Andrew (the First-Called).

The report that part of the relics of the holy apostle is in Hersfeld can be questioned, since in 1040 they were donated to Goslar (Goslar), and the monastery of Hersfeld was eventually destroyed and now the ruins are protected as a historical monument.

It is not clear what happened to the relics in Goslar, at least it is known that Simon the Zealot is his patron.

Finally, the presence of part of the relics of Simon the Zealot is declared by Sayn, which is part of the city of Koblenz. Yes, not just parts, but the hands of the apostle. There is only one problem: nowhere on the Internet is there a single photograph or information confirming the presence of part of the relics of the holy apostle in Sajna today.

As a result, we can really talk only about Cologne. In addition, there are several churches in Germany bearing the names of the apostles Simon the Zealot and Judas Thaddeus (the common name for the churches). The list can be viewed.

Holy Apostle Simone, pray to God for us.

Text: Alexey Potupin, May 20, 2010.
Image above: Apostle Simon the Zealot (Kananite). National Gallery of Art, Washington.

Simon the Zealot

Further, in listing the names of the apostles, Luke calls "Simon, who is called the Zealot" (Luke 6:15). In the Gospel of Matthew (10:4) and in the Gospel of Mark (3:18) the apostle is called Simon the Zealot. The nickname does not refer to Canaan or the settlement of Cana, but comes from the Hebrew word qanna, meaning "zealot."

Obviously, Simon belonged to the Zealots. The very fact that the nickname remained for life testifies that the apostle had a zealous, ardent character. However, during the time of Jesus on earth, the word referred to was a well-known outlawed political party that was universally feared. And Simon was probably a member.

Historian Josephus Flavius wrote about the four main Jewish parties of that time. The Pharisees were picky about the Law; they were the religious fundamentalists of their time. Sadducees are religious liberals; they rejected the supernatural. The members of this group were wealthy aristocrats and powerful people. The temple was under their care. The Essenes are not mentioned at all in Scripture, but both Josephus and Philo of Alexandria write about them as people of asceticism and rites, people who lived in the wilderness and devoted themselves to the study of the Law. The fourth group are the Zealots, the most politicized community than any other but the Herodians. The Zealots hated the Romans. They sought to overthrow the Roman occupation power and achieved their goals mainly through terrorist acts and secret acts of violence.

The Zealots went to extremes in everything. Like the Pharisees, they interpreted the law literally. However, unlike the Pharisees (those who seek compromise in political matters), the Zealots were aggressive and violent outcasts, outlaws. They believed that only God Himself could rule the Jews, and therefore they were sure that they were doing God's work, attacking Roman soldiers, political leaders, in general, anyone who opposed them.

The Zealots hoped that the Messiah would lead their fight against Rome and restore the kingdom in Israel in the glory of Solomon. They were ardent patriots and were ready to die on the spot for what they believed in. Here is what Josephus wrote about them:

“The ancestor of the fourth philosophical school was the Galilean Judas. The adherents of this sect, in all other respects, are quite close to the teachings of the Pharisees. But they have an unrestrained love for freedom. They consider the Lord God as their only leader and master. They consider going to death as nothing, just as they despise death, friends and relatives, just so as not to recognize the supremacy of man over themselves. Since anyone who wishes can personally verify this with his own eyes, I do not consider it necessary to elaborate on them especially. After all, I have nothing to fear that my words about them will not be given faith; on the contrary, my words far from exhaust all their generosity and their readiness to undergo suffering. The people began to suffer from the insane passion for them under Hessia Flora, who was the governor and brought the Jews, by the abuse of his power, to an uprising against the Romans.

The uprising "under Hessia Flora", about which Josephus writes, took place in the 6th year CE. e., when a group of Zealots raised an uprising, the reason for which was the collection of a poll tax with the census, established by Rome. The leader and founder of the Zealots, according to Josephus Flavius, was Judas the Galilean, who is mentioned in the book of Acts (5:37).

The Zealots were convinced that by paying tribute to the pagan king, the Jews were betraying God. This point of view was widely accepted among people for whom Roman taxes had become too much of a burden. Judas the Galilean seized the opportunity, gathered a military force, and in a frenzy began to kill, plunder, and destroy. The followers of Judas the Galilean waged guerrilla warfare and committed acts of terrorism against the Romans. However, the Romans soon crushed the rebellion, killed Judas the Galilean and crucified his sons.

The Zealot Party went underground. Their terrorist acts have become selective and more secretive. As written in Chapter 2, they organized a faction of secret assassins called the Sicarii (literally meaning "man with a dagger") because the members of this faction carried short daggers with a curved blade. Sycharii tried to discreetly be behind the back of a Roman soldier or political leader and stabbed in the back between the ribs, skillfully piercing the heart.

They burned the Roman military posts in Judea, and then hid in the remote corners of Galilee. As Josephus wrote in the passage quoted above, their willingness to undergo any kind of suffering or death, including the same torment they inflicted on others, was widely known. The Romans could torture the Zealots, kill them, but they could not extinguish their ardor.

When the Roman army under the leadership of Titus Vespasian devastated Jerusalem in the year 70 after Christ, many historians believe that the Zealots aggravated the terrible destruction of the Jews. During the siege, when the Roman army had already surrounded the city and blocked the supply routes, the Zealots began to kill their own Jews, who wanted to enter into negotiations with Rome to lift the siege. The Zealots did not allow any of those who wanted to save their lives to surrender. When Titus realized how hopeless the situation was, he destroyed the city, killed thousands of inhabitants and carried the treasures from the Temple. The blind hatred of the Zealots for Rome and everything related to Rome eventually led to the destruction of their home city. The Zealots were driven by reckless fanaticism that led them to self-destruction.

Flavius Josephus suggests that the name "zealots" was misinterpreted, "as if they zealously pursued good goals, while in reality they applied all their zeal to bad deeds and in this respect surpassed themselves."

Simon was one of them. Interestingly, when listing the names of the twelve apostles, Matthew and Mark write the name of Simon before the name of Judas Iscariot. When Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs (Mark 6:7), it is likely that Simon and Judas Iscariot were together. Perhaps at first they both followed Jesus out of similar political views. However, at some stage, Simon became a sincere believer and changed. Judas Iscariot never truly believed.

When Jesus did not overthrow Roman rule but instead began talking about death, some might have thought that Simon would become a traitor; after all, he is a passionate and zealous person, with such political convictions that led him to the terrorists. But that was before meeting Jesus.

Of course, being one of the twelve chosen, Simon had to somehow communicate with Matthew, with a man who belonged to a completely different political stratum - he collected taxes for the Roman government. At some point in his life, Simon might have gladly killed Matthew. But, in the end, Matthew and Simon became spiritual brothers who worked side by side, striving for the same goal - to spread the gospel and worship the same Lord.

It's amazing that a man like Simon was chosen by Jesus to be an apostle. However, Simon was an extremely loyal man, possessed of amazing ardor, courage and zeal. He believed the truth and accepted Christ as his Lord. The ardent enthusiasm for Israel that had once possessed Simon was now expressed in a full commitment to Christ.

Several sources say that after the destruction of Jerusalem, Simon took the gospel north and preached in the British Isles. The name of the apostle descends from the pages of biblical narratives, like the names of many others. There is no reliable data on the death of the apostle, but all traditions say that he was killed for preaching the gospel. A man who was once willing to kill and die for political opinions that applied only to Judea found a better purpose for which he could give his life: to proclaim salvation to sinners from different peoples, languages and tribes.

From the book Gnosticism. (Gnostic religion) by Jonas Hans

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From the book 100 great biblical characters author Ryzhov Konstantin Vladislavovich

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From the book Myths and Legends of the Holy Land author Hanauer James

X Simon the Righteous In the upper part of the Kidron Valley, not far from the place to the north of Jerusalem, where the road to Nablus crosses it, stands a tomb carved into the rock. Hidden behind a modern door is an ancient vestibule, but badly damaged and barely visible.

From the book Bibliological Dictionary the author Men Alexander

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From the book Russian Saints. June August author author unknown

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From the book Guide to the Bible author Asimov Isaac

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From the book of 400 miraculous prayers for healing the soul and body, protection from troubles, help in misfortune and comfort in sorrow. Prayer is an unbreakable wall author Mudrova Anna Yurievna

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From the book Orthodox Saints. Miraculous helpers, intercessors and intercessors for us before God. Reading to the rescue author Mudrova Anna Yurievna

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From the book Hagiology author Nikulina Elena Nikolaevna

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From the author's book

Apostle Simon the Zealot (Zealot) Apostle Simon is called a Zealot, which means "zealot". The Zealots are a current among the Pharisees. The Zealots fought for the independence of Judea from Rome, and opposed that part of the Jewish people who were inclined to compromise with the pagans. Kananite

From the author's book

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From the author's book

Apostle Simon the Zealot Kontakion, tone 2 We know the wisdom of the teachings in the souls of the pious who have put in praise in praise, like the God-speaking all Simon: The Throne of Glory now stands and rejoices with the Incorporeal, praying unceasingly for all

From the author's book

St. Apostle Simon the Zealot (On the Love of God) I. St. Apostle Simon, whose memory is being celebrated today, is also called a Canaanite, because he originated from that Cana of Galilee, where the Savior showed the first example of miracles, turning water into wine at a wedding feast, at whom He and the Most Pure

The holy apostle Si-mon Zi-lot pro-is-ho-dil from Ka-na Ga-li-lei-ska, was the son of St. Ob-ruch-ni-ka Joseph , according to the flesh, the brother of the Lord and one of the 12 apostles. The first miracle, someone co-created Spa-si-tel - pre-your-re-water in vi-no - pro-iso-went in the house of Si-mo -on: during the feast for the guests there is not enough wine. Then the Lord, according to the pre-stay of the Pre-Holy Bo-go-ma-te-ri, pre-created the water into wine. In-a-women-ny miraculous house, Si-mon with all my heart and soul assured me-ro-val in the Lord-yes Jesus-sa as both-van-no-go Messiah and , leaving everything, after-to-shaft after Him. Si-mon on-lu-chil on-name-no-va-nie "zi-lo-ta", i.e. roar-no-te-la. On the day of Five-de-syat-ni-tsy, he accepted, together with other apo-hundred-la-mi, the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Apostle Si-mon pro-po-ve-do-shaft the teachings of Christ in Judea, Egypt, Libya, Ki-ri-nee and Bri-ta-nii. In Ab-kha-ziya, he accepted the mu-che-no-che-kon-chi-well, was crucified on the cross. Po-gre-ben in the city-ro-de Ni-cop-si o-lo Su-hu-mi. Subsequently (in the 19th century), on the site of the movement of the holy apostle, near the Iver mountain, No-vo-a was built -fon-sky mo-na-styr Si-mo-na Ka-na-ni-ta. Until now, the cave has been preserved, in some swarm under the hall of the holy apo-table.

See also: "" in from-lo-same-nii svt. Di-mit-ria Rostov-sko-go.

Prayers

Troparion to the Apostle Simon the Zealot

Apostle Saint Simone, / pray to the merciful God, / let the remission of sins / / give to our souls.

Translation: Saint Simon, pray to the merciful God, that He grant forgiveness of sins to our souls.

Kontakion to the Apostle Simon the Zealot

We know the wisdom of teaching in the souls of those who are pious / in praise let us appease, like the God-speaking Simon: / now he stands on the throne of glory and rejoices with the Incorporeal, / / praying unceasingly for all of us.

Translation: Let us glorify the theological Simon with the teachings of wisdom firmly in the souls of the theologian Simon, who has put everything in praise: for now he is standing and rejoices with incorporeal Forces, interceding unceasingly for all of us.

Canons and Akathists

Akathist to the Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot, Canaanite

Kondak 1

Chosen apostle of Christ and evangelist, catching your preaching for the salvation of many human souls and bringing to Christ the darkened people by idolatry, Blessed Simone, in songs we praise you with love and pray diligently: as if having boldness to the Lord, praying to Him take out for us sinners and with your prayers, free us from all troubles, let us call you: Rejoice, Simone, the apostle of Christ and a prayer book for our souls.

Ikos 1

Angels the Creator and Lord, Christ God, at least save fallen humanity, clothed in our flesh and live with men, but in Cana of Galilee for marriage in your house, Simone is praised, together with His Most Pure Matter, the Virgin Mother of God, Even by the supplication of the Mother of the beginning of miracles Reveal your own in your house, miraculously turning water into wine on your brother and thereby showing the power of His Divinity. The same to you, blessed with the visit and favor of the God-man, as the God-seer and His chosen disciple, with tenderness we cry out: Rejoice, beautiful bridegroom, miraculously called from the marriage of the earth to the marriage of the Lamb; Rejoice, glorified in heaven and on earth. Rejoice, faithfully serving God the Word incarnate; Rejoice, in the preaching of the Gospel of truth, great zeal is revealed. Rejoice, beloved Lord Jesus with all your heart; Rejoice, leaving the earthly betrothed and running after Him. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 2

Seeing the miracles of Christ, most glorious Simone, you faithfully followed in the flesh the manifested God, you were beloved from the Worthless and you were counted among the chosen ones of the twelve, as a zealot of His glory, you received the name of the new Zealot, this is a zealot. Ask this zeal for the glory of God to us, the disciple of the Savior, so that together with you we will be able to sing to Christ: Alleluia.

Ikos 2

The mind of heaven has been given to you from above, Simon God-wise, the same, listening to the Divine word of Christ God, I composed you in your heart, and, like a good earth, brought fruit hundredfold to Him the teachings of the Gospel grace, with which you illuminated the ends for the salvation of the world and, like a soul-saving preacher , hear from us the following songs: Rejoice, the yoke of Christ, good and light, on your frame perceived; Rejoice, by the example of your saints, attract all of us to the following of Christ. Rejoice, nameless zealous zealot for the glory of God; Rejoice, warmest lover of the Lord Jesus. Rejoice, wondrous mentor to Him of those who seek salvation; Rejoice, silent preacher of the gospel soul-saving teaching. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 3

The power of God in the autumn of thee, the apostle of Christ Simon, always followed the footsteps of Christ the Lord, bypassing Judea and Galilee with Him, listening to His Divine teaching and contemplating the greatness of His miracles. The same and Christ, as to His faithful follower and disciple, grant you power and strength to heal ailments, heal diseases and drive away unclean spirits, may all praise His power, manifested in you, and sing to Him a laudatory song: Alleluia.

Ikos 3

You had only one care, Simone all-blessed, to faithfully serve and please Christ God, in the flesh I appear for human salvation, His companion and eyewitness was honored to be and from His Divine lips you drew the greatness of the teaching of heavenly grace, about her marveling, we say to you: Rejoice, all-joyful preacher of the Gospel of truth to us; Rejoice, morning star, who proclaimed to us the non-evening sun. Rejoice, self-seeing and servant of the incarnate God; Rejoice, mistress's wanderings and His immortal meals are partakers. Rejoice, chosen and faithful disciple of Christ; Rejoice, friend of His everlasting one, preserving your friendship with Him to the end. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 4

Nail the storm of Jewish fury to the Cross of Christ God, who willed to suffer for all the people, but did not shake your faith and hope, blessed Simone, for He is the Savior of the world, prophesied of old by the prophets to the temptation of fallen mankind. The same, as the Lord and God, you faithfully sang to Him a laudatory song: Alleluia.

Ikos 4

Hearing the Divine voice of Christ the life-giver, who rose from the dead three days and entered through a closed door to His disciple, and “Peace be with you!” rekshago, Simone the God-bearer, you rejoiced zealously and to the One, like God, reverently bowed to you, then to everyone you proclaimed unceasingly the immutable truth of His resurrection. About this we call you laudatoryly: Rejoice, the peace of Christ worthily received in the immaculate vessel of your soul; Rejoice, graciously appeasing the ends of the world with the peace of that world. Rejoice, ancient enmity of the idolatrous consumer; Rejoice, the truth of the resurrection of Christ is obvious and loud to the witness. Rejoice, by the closed door of the wonderfully past Christ to the contemplator; Rejoice, divine and joyful voice to His hearer. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 5

Seeing the divine ascension to heaven of Christ and the Holy Spirit, sent down from Him in fiery tongues, having been an accomplice, Simone was most praiseworthy, the divine spirit-bearer became thou and, clothed with power from above, flowed thou to preach the Gospel to Judea, Syria, Egypt, Mauritania, Spain, Britain , Persis, Iberia and Armenia, proclaiming to the people, in the darkness of former unbelief, the saving light of Christ God and faith in Him right, and bringing everyone to call Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 5

Seeing you, the Apostle of Christ, the Most Pure Mother of God, from distant lands on a cloud, hastening to Her most honorable Assumption, rejoicing with holy joy and worthy of Your conversation and blessing before death; but you, about colicia, were filled with joy, contemplating Her Son and God, with the holy Angels who came to Her and Her holy soul in His hands received. This joy of yours and we, reverently remembering, from zealous love proclaim these all-joyful words: Rejoice, celestial disciple of the Savior, miraculously brought to the burial of the Mother of the Lord on a cloud; Rejoice, Christ, in Thy hands the soul of Thy Mother, who received, contemplated. Rejoice, worthily serving the burial of the Most Pure Mother of God; Rejoice, understanding Mother of God ascended with the body. Rejoice, having seen Her funeral shrouds and the empty coffin of Her in Gethsemane; Rejoice, in the vision of the luminous with the holy Angels, you were honored to see the coming Lady of the world. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 6

The divine-speaking preacher appeared to you, the apostle of Christ Simon, in the wild countries and bestial people proclaimed the Gospel of Christ, with your meekness and gentleness overcoming those ferocity and turning them from the wolves into the lambs of Christ, and having learned from you to sing the angelic song to the Triune God: Alleluia.

Ikos 6

You shone, disciple of the Savior, like a radiant lamp, in the countries of the infidels and, like a godly luminary, you flowed around the east and west, proclaiming to people the saving faith in Christ Jesus, Who inspires us to praise you, the divine preacher, with these praises: Rejoice, east from the east and the west enlightened by the light of Christ; Rejoice, having declared Africa and Spain with the teaching of the Gospel. Rejoice, Britons who tamed the severity of Jesus' meekness; Rejoice, bringing Armenia and Iberia to the knowledge of the Son of God. Rejoice, persuading the Persians and the Medes to believe in Christ God; Rejoice, tirelessly laboring in the gospel of Christ. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 7

You had a zealous desire, O Apostle of Christ, to suffer martyrdom for the name of Christ and seal with your blood the divine truth of your gospel preaching, hedgehog arranging, bringing you to Iveria from the unfaithful Laz on the cross to be crucified and die a martyr. Remembering your suffering Christ-like death, we honor your illnesses and labors and sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 7

Novago Noah, the head of the ark of the soul-saving faith of Christ in Iberia, we know you to be, Simon the God-spoken, and as the founder and cornerstone of the church of Iberia we honor thee, we honor the place of your burial with love, as if consecrated by your blood and relics of your repose, from worthless gifts of healing exude to the faithful and attract to call you: Rejoice, relentless guardian of Iberia; Rejoice, patron of Pitsunda, given by God. Rejoice, miraculously preserving your temple in the desert from final destruction; Rejoice, your honorable tomb giving us consolation. Rejoice, having renewed the place of your exploits and sufferings with a monastic abode in your name; Rejoice, from Saint Athos, ascetics of fasting and prayer in the nude, wonderfully settled. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 8

Having made the earthly journey, the Apostle of the Savior, you have moved from the earth to the heavenly abode, on the earth of miracles you shine with rays and enlighten the souls of the faithful, even according to Bose they prayerfully come running to you and honor your holy memory, even we reverently revere, we sing a song to God who glorified you : Alleluia.

Ikos 8

The whole Iberian Church honors you, the Apostle Simon, as its founder and patron, who gave birth to you on the basis of the unshakable faith of Christ and watered you to spiritual fruitfulness with your honest blood, from which the hosts of saints, now triumphing together with you in heaven, are miraculously vegetating in it. The same and we bless your deeds on earth and we call you: Rejoice, good and merciful comforter of those who mourn; Rejoice, quick helper of the needy. Rejoice, having acquired great boldness to Christ God, as His sincere friend; Rejoice, thou who hast received power from Him over unclean spirits. Rejoice, glory and praise of your holy dwellings; Rejoice, for those who labor in it I intercede for eternal salvation. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 9

Judge the whole world Imashi, Apostle of the Savior, sit on the throne lofty and exalted, when Christ the Lord with glory comes to do His righteous judgment; then, holy, beseech His goodness to have mercy on us and not condemn us to eternal perdition, but vouchsafe with the saints to sing to Him: Alleluia.

Ikos 9

The orgy of man does not suffice for a worthy glorification of your exploits and miracles, Simone is praiseworthy, both accept, disciple of the Savior, kindly and mercifully this small and simple song of ours, brought to you with faith and love, and hear those crying to you: Rejoice, from the east and praised and glorified to the West; Rejoice, consecrating the Iberian country with your death. Rejoice, like a fruitful vine, spiritually growing Nina equal to the apostles in it; Rejoice, host of saints from the bowels of her fruitful Christ. Rejoice, glorifying the mountains and lands of her ascetics of piety; Rejoice, like a father with a child, triumph with the saints of Iveron in the cloisters of paradise. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 10

Salvation is a pledge, the holy Orthodox faith, inherited from you, the apostle of Christ Simone. We also pray to you: from all heresies and schisms, keep us, your children, with your prayerful intercession to God and help us to remain unshakable in Orthodoxy until the end of our days and faithfully sing to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 10

Chosen disciple of the King of Heaven Christ, Blessed Simon, pray to Him for us sinners, and your God-loving zeal for keeping His law is also given to us unworthy, in order to be ready for us for the exploits of Christian good deeds and for the confession of our Orthodox faith, not only words, but also deeds and appear as your children, not only by name, but by truth itself. For this we pray and call: Rejoice, most bright star, guiding everyone to the sun of the truth of Christ; Rejoice, inextinguishable candle, burning in prayer at the throne of the Lord of glory. Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the holy Church of Christ; Rejoice, golden phiale, pour out healing streams for us. Rejoice, having received from Christ the power to knit and decide; Rejoice, having received from Him the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 11

Bring the singing of the Most Holy Trinity to the mountain with all the saints, Simone, praiseworthy, and from the heavenly heights fatherly descend to the place of your exploits and sufferings on earth, with your prayers helping everyone who faithfully honors your holy memory and sings a song about you to God: Alleluia.

Ikos 11

The light-giving lamp of the Three-Sun Light, you are faithful, the Apostle of Christ Simon, and invisibly illuminate us all on the path of Christian good deeds, let us not fall into the network of the enemy, the devil, but we will be unharmed from all his trappings of the evil ones and so uncondemnedly we will be able to cry out to you: Rejoice, good shepherd of words flocks of Christ; Rejoice, do not let the soul-destroying wolf plunder your spiritual flock. Rejoice, thou who didst catch the ends of thy preaching to the world for salvation; Rejoice, and now contribute to our salvation with your prayers. Rejoice, wise architect of the Church of Christ; Rejoice, cornerstone of its foundation. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 12

Ask us for grace and mercy from the Lord, Simone the God-bearing, the apostle of the Savior, as if gaining greatness for Him boldness, most of all ask Him for repentance for sins and the correction of our life, may it be full of Christian virtues, in a hedgehog we can still be able to sing on earth Heavenly song to our Creator: Alleluia.

Ikos 12

Singing of your illnesses and labors, Apostle Spasov, you worked in the image of Christ in the gospel of Christ, we honor your holy and glorious memory, even fragrant us spiritually and delights our souls: peace truly appears before God your sweat and drops of suffering blood, poured out by you for Christ, our holy representative. We also call to you: Rejoice, faithful preacher of the Most Holy Life-Giving Trinity; Rejoice, worthy interlocutor of angelic faces. Rejoice, beauty and foundation of the apostles; Rejoice, human exaltation. Rejoice, unmerciful doctor of mental and bodily ailments; Rejoice, according to God and the Most Holy Theotokos, our shameless hope. Rejoice, Simone, apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.

Kondak 13

O holy, glorious and all-praised Apostle of Christ Simon, zealous of the law of God and our powerful intercessor! Accept this little prayerful singing, brought to you in praise, and beg the Savior Christ to deliver us eternal torment and make us happy with the saints, let us sing with them to Him forever: Alleluia.

(This kontakion is read three times, then ikos 1 and kontakion 1)

Prayer to the holy, glorious and all-praised Apostle of Christ, Simon the Zealot, who is also called Canaanite

Holy, glorious and all-praiseable Apostle of Christ Simone, who was honored to receive into your house in Cana of Galilee our Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, Our Lady Theotokos, and to be an eyewitness to the glorious miracle of Christ, manifested on your brother, turning water into wine! We pray to you with faith and love: implore Christ the Lord to transform our souls from sin-loving into God-loving; save and keep us with your prayers from the temptations of the devil and the falls of sin, and ask us from above for help during our despondency and helplessness; let us not stumble over the stone of temptation, but steadily walk the saving path of the commandments of Christ, until we reach these blessed abodes of paradise, where you are now settling down and having fun. Hey, Apostle of the Savior! Do not disgrace us, who are strong in trusting in you, but be our helper and patron in all our lives and help us to piously and God-pleasingly live this temporary end, to receive a good and peaceful Christian death and be worthy of a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ; yes, having escaped the ordeals of the air and the power of the fierce world-keeper, let us inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and glorify the magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Canon to the Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot, the Canaanite

Canto 1

Irmos: Let us sing a song, people, to our wondrous God, who freed Israel from work, a song of victory singing and crying: we sing to Thee, the One Ruler.

Chorus:  Holy Apostle Simon, pray to God for us.

In the highest, the Master is standing, the apostle is wonderful, who glorified you and showed Himself a disciple with light, enlighten my soul, that I may commemorate your divine memory.

Christ has given you all the abundance of good things, the top of divine gifts, apostle, showing you, by a righteous judgment, epiphany, the righteous one.

Accept the all-spiritual dawn, apostle, which descended on you from heaven;

Theotokos: You, my dead and perishable, immortal and incorruptible, Savior, having shown, you have moved into the womb of the Most Pure Holy Virgin unskillfully, imagining yourself in human nature.

Canto 3

Irmos: There is nothing holy, like the Lord, and there is nothing righteous, like our God, All creation sings to Him: there is nothing more righteous than You, Lord.

Thou hast truly known the Divine Mystery of the Incarnation, O Apostle Simone, God-pleasing, from Samago the Savior receive the dawn of peace.

The Word, Beginningless and Eternal, of His servant thee, Simone is wonderful, shining with light, richly enlighten the Divine grace.

Theotokos: All-gold candlestick You are a prophet, O Mother of God, who bears the non-evening Light, enlightening the world with the rays of the Divine, Christ our God.

Sedalen of the saint, tone 3

With God's soul, he destroyed the mentor and faithful hearts of Enthus, poured saving commandments, and abolished the elline bass, Simone Glory, Christ to be a prayer for the prayer.

Song 4

Irmos: From the mountain in the autumn, the Word, the prophet, the only Mother of God, wanting to be incarnated God-like, and with fear glorifying Your power.

All this treasure of gospel gifts, full of grace, the light of the world and the salt of the universe, blessed Simone, you were.

Thou hast turned away from the jelly-like appearance of things, but Thou hast been able to see the immaterial Light;

Simone, disciple of imperishable life, put to death our living sin by the life-giving power of the Life-giver, which thou hast taken action.

Theotokos: You were equal in essence to Your Father, you were equal to a man by nature, from our Most Pure Virgin, Master, the flesh received.

Canto 5

Irmos: From the night of ignorance through the knowledge of God, enlightening the ends, enlighten me in the morning of Thy lovingkindness, Lord.

With fire, God-seeing, thou zealously received the visible tongue of the Spirit, sitting in the upper room.

Like a lofty one, living in the highest villages, high and great, you brought us teachings.

Theotokos: The first law, Virgin, has ceased with Your Nativity, grace flourish, and righteousness has risen.

Canto 6

Irmos: Give me a robe of light, clothe yourself with light, like a robe, many-merciful Christ our God.

Jealousy is named after the name, Simone is worthy, with jealousy you were jealous for the Lord God Almighty.

You saved the show of Divine miracles of the do-it-yourselfer, giving you power by the action of His goodness.

Theotokos: May the lips of the wicked be shut up, O Theotokos of thee who are not wise, O All-blameless, and may their faces be clothed with stud.

Kontakion, voice 2

We know the wisdom of teaching in the souls of the pious, let us appease the one who lays down in praise, like the God-speaking Simon: now stands the throne of glory and rejoices with the incorporeal, praying unceasingly for all of us.

Ikos:

Let us praise the memory of the Apostle, like a saving day, now and piously bless him: for the whole universe, like the sun, shines, driving away all the darkness with rays of light, and enlightens the love of this memory of those who do and love knowingly respecting. Let us zealously flock to him, singing to him: he is standing before Christ, praying unceasingly for all of us.

Canto 7

Irmos: The youths of the Jews boldly asked the flame in the cave, and laid fire on the dew, crying out: Blessed be Thou, O Lord God, forever.

Jealousy is strange, Simone, having, the namesake of jealousy, blessed, thou art called and like, I agree with the rank, thou hast acquired, - blessed be thou, Lord, - crying, - forever.

Together with the Word, rejoicing and an interlocutor to Him, Thou didst partake of the Kingdom there, calling: Blessed be Thou, Lord God, forever.

Theotokos: To the flattery of the ancients of the forefathers’ good will, cast out the snakes, You called out to these, Mother of God. Blessed, Most Pure, Fruit of Your womb.

Canto 8

Irmos: Musikiy organ reconciling and countless people, worshiping the image in Deir, disobeying the three youths, the Lord hymned and glorified forever and ever.

How red, Simone, your feet are, and your tongue is beautiful, saying the glory of Christ, and teach to call: Sing to the Lord and exalt you forever.

Adorned with light-bearing kindness and miracles letting shine, you were recognized, Simone, blessed seed by people: Sing to the Lord, deeds, and exalt in all ages.

Theotokos: The mind cannot speak of Thy Nativity, O Mother of God, and utter the word is exhausted: God, thou hast conceived, thou hast given birth, O Virgin, Whom we exalt forever.

Song 9

Irmos: Let us gloriously honor the pure, people, the Mother of God, who received the fire of the Divine in the womb without burning, we magnify with songs.

You were revealed by the end, shining with light, and, the fire of a spiritual reception, you appeared light-visible, we magnify you the same.

Everything is entrusted to God, thou hast dissolved to Him, now pray to Him, epiphany, for us, who with faith and love praise thee.

Theotokos: Salvation of all the Intercessor, who is a man and who enlightened the world with the radiance of divine purity, we magnify in songs.

Svetilen

The flow of your red feet, Simon the Apostle, returning, you ascended to the procession of heaven, rejoicing, and, presenting the Trinity, in the Father you see the Son and the Divine Spirit. For the sake of faith, we celebrate your sacred and divine memory.

Prayer to the Apostle Simon the Zealot

Holy glorious and all-praiseable Apostle of Christ Simone, who was able to receive into your house in Cana of Galilee our Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, Our Lady Theotokos, and be an eyewitness to the glorious miracle of Christ manifested on your brother, turning water into wine! We pray to you with faith and love: implore Christ the Lord to transform our souls from sin-loving into God-loving; save and keep us with your prayers from the temptations of the devil and the falls of sin, and ask us from above for help in the time of our despondency and helplessness; let us not stumble over a stone of temptation, but steadily move along the saving path of the commandments of Christ, until we reach those blessed abodes of paradise, where now you are settling down and having fun. Hey, Apostle of the Savior! Do not disgrace us, who trust in you strong, but be our helper and patron in all our lives and help us piously and God-pleasing life this temporary end, receive a good and peaceful Christian death and give a good answer I am at the Last Judgment of Christ; Yes, having escaped the ordeals of the air and the power of the fierce world-keeper, let us inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and glorify the magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

The Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot - one of the 12 Apostles - was one of the four sons of Joseph the Betrothed from his first marriage, i.e. half brother of Jesus Christ. Kananit in Aramaic means zealot. The Apostle Luke gives the Greek version of his nickname: the Zealot, which means the same as Kananit.

One of the interpretations of the name of the apostle is connected with Cana of Galilee, in which, at the marriage of the Apostle Simon, our Lord Jesus Christ performed His first miracle, turning water into wine. This is stated in the Holy Gospel of John the Theologian. It is this passage that is read during the sacrament of the wedding, which, apparently, was the reason for the veneration of the Apostle Simon Zeanite as the patron of Christian marriage.

Seeing the miracle performed by the Lord at the wedding in Cana, Simon was inflamed with zeal for the Lord and so believed in Christ that he followed the Savior, despite the fact that he had just entered into marriage. Thus, having despised everything worldly, Simon followed Christ, as it is said, "carrying away his soul to the immortal Bridegroom."

After the Ascension of Christ, on the day of Pentecost, he received the gift of the Holy Spirit, which descended on the disciples of the Savior in the form of fiery tongues. Simon preached the faith of Christ first in Judea, then in Edessa (Syria), Armenia, Egypt, Cyrene (Libya), Mauritania, Spain and even Britain, as evidenced by the local traditions of some Christian nations.

It is known that Simon the Zealot, together with the apostles Andrew the First-Called and Matthias, preached the gospel in the land of Iberia. Then Simon and Andrey went to the mountains of Svanetia (Ossetia), then to Abkhazia and stopped in the city of Sevast, now Sukhumi. Then the Apostle Andrew went to preach along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, and Simon settled in a small, hard-to-reach cave located in the gorge of the Psyrtskhi River (near modern New Athos). In this cave, he descended on a rope through a small natural entrance. This was around 55 AD. e., more than twenty years after the Resurrection of Christ.

Cell-grotto of the Apostle Simon the Zealot

Cave of Simon the Zealot

How long the apostle stayed in Abkhazia, the chronicles do not report. He performed many signs and wonders here, and his preaching converted many people to Christ. Traditions say that thanks to the sermons of Simon Kananit, the cruel pagan custom of sacrificing babies and cannibalism to the gods was destroyed in Abkhazia. In ancient Abkhaz parables, there are often references to St. Simon, who healed various ailments with the touch of his hand, sprinkled water on a sore spot, read a prayer in an unfamiliar language, and everything passed. Simon Kananit was the first to begin the baptism of local residents - the ancestors of modern Abkhazians.

Because of this, the apostle was repeatedly attacked by the pagans. And during the cruel persecution of Christians, which was started by the Georgian pagan king Aderky (Arkady), Simon was martyred. According to one version, he was truncated with a sword, according to another, he was sawn alive with a saw. There is also a tradition that he was crucified on a cross.

The disciples buried the body of the saint not far from his cave. Believers began to come to his grave, asking for help in needs and healing from illnesses.

In the 9th century, a temple was built on the relics of Simon the Zealot, made of white hewn limestone. And after only two centuries, the Christian faith was firmly established throughout Abkhazia. In the XI-XII centuries Abkhazia was a prosperous Christian state. The entire Abkhaz coast was covered with flourishing cities and monasteries, and the adjacent mountains were fortified with castles and churches. But later, according to the inscrutable fate of God, it was conquered by the Turks, the Abkhazians betrayed Christianity and converted to Islam. Many temples were destroyed, including Simono-Kananitsky.

The oldest of the monastery churches is the temple of the Apostle Simon the Zealot

In the 19th century, the ancient temple was restored by the inhabitants of the New Athos Simono-Kananitsky Monastery, which was founded nearby in 1875 by monks from Old Athos (Greece) from the monastery of St. Panteleimon. This was followed by the highest order of His Imperial Majesty Alexander III on the allotment of "327 acres of land in Abkhazia and the transfer to the monastery of the ruins of the temple of the Apostle Simon the Zealot, a tower left over from the time of the Genoese, and also on granting the brethren the right to fish in the Psyrtsha River."

Monastery of St. Simon the Zealot on New Athos

The monastery became the center of Orthodox education in the Caucasus and the entire south of Russia, and its central Panteleimon Cathedral became the largest religious building in Abkhazia. It could accommodate more than three thousand people at the same time. The wall paintings of the cathedral were one of the last monuments of the Russian church icon painting school. The musical chimes of the tallest bell tower were a gift from Alexander III. In addition to the chimes, the tsar presented the monastery with a steam locomotive and a power station.

Several factories worked at the monastery - a candle, brick, oil mill, horse, there were painting, bookbinding, sewing, watch, shoe, and foundry workshops. Huge spaces on the slopes of the mountains around the monastery were planted with tangerine, lemon, olive, walnut, plum orchards, vineyards, corn, potato fields. There were also two apiaries and a botanical garden with exotic plants. Traces of the former might of the monastery are visible even now - the gardens around the monastery are still blooming and the vineyards planted by the brethren bring a rich harvest. Indeed, before the arrival of the Russian monks, no crops were cultivated or grown on these mountain slopes.

To the ancient cave of Simon the Zealot, the monks cut through an entrance convenient for visiting, built a stone staircase, laid out in mosaic the faces of Jesus Christ, the Mother of God and Simon the Zealot himself on the walls of the cave. In this form, it has survived to this day. And today, on the way to it, you can meet a source of holy water, and a small granite boulder with an imprint of the foot of the apostle, and mountain rapids, under which Simon the Zealot was martyred. On the stones lying near the grotto, red spots are still visible - “drops of apostolic blood”.

At present, the relics of the apostle are under the vault of the Simono-Kananitsky temple.

Part of the relics of the apostle is in the Basilica of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called in Cologne (Germany).

There are two more versions of the martyrdom of the Apostle Simon. According to one, he was crucified by local pagans during an apostolic sermon in Britain, according to another, widespread in the Near and Middle East, he was executed along with the Apostle Judas Thaddeus in Babylon. However, the Orthodox Church does not share either one or the other.

ropar, voice 3
Apostle Saint Simone, pray to the merciful God, that forgiveness of sins will give our souls.

Kontakion, tone 2
We know the wisdom of the teaching in the souls of the pious, we will appease the praising, like the God-speaking all Simon: The Throne of glory now stands and rejoices with the incorporeal, praying unceasingly for all of us.