General Presentation of the Apostle Simon the Zealot
Saint Simon, called the Zealot for his membership in the Jewish nationalist movement of the Zealots, is one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. This group advocated for the liberation of Judea from Roman rule, often through violence. However, after meeting Jesus, Simon abandoned this extreme activism to become a defender of the universal love and peace preached by Christ. According to the gospel accounts, Simon witnessed many major events in Jesus' life, including the Last Supper, the Resurrection, and Pentecost.
Symbols and Appearances of the Apostle Simon the Zealot
Saint Simon is often depicted with a saw, the symbol of his martyrdom according to tradition. He is said to have been sawn in two for his Christian faith. Some depictions also show him with a book or a cross, reflecting his evangelical mission.
Myths and Legends of the Apostle Simon the Zealot
Traditional Christian accounts indicate that Saint Simon first preached in Egypt before setting out with the apostle Jude to evangelize in Persia (modern-day Iran), where they were martyred together. Simon is often seen as a zealous man who put the same passion into his faith as he had previously invested in his nationalist convictions.
