Simon the Zealot

Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot.

The Holy Apostle Simon the Zealot was one of the Twelve chosen by the Lord. The Gospels record his name among the Apostles, and his title of Zealot bespeaks his burning devotion. After Pentecost he went forth like the others to preach the Gospel, and tradition holds that he carried the good news to distant lands and completed his course as a martyr.

Though the synaxaria preserve few details of his labors, the Church honors him as one of the foundation stones of apostolic preaching. He is commemorated on May 10.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Simon the Zealot is commemorated on May 10. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on May 23 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Simon, Simeon

Also commemorated on May 10

• Alphaeus, Philadelphus and Cyprinus

  Martyr, Αλφειός, Φιλάδελφος και Κυπρίνος

  Holy Martyrs Alphaeus, Philadelphus and Cyprinus, three brothers who suffered in Sicily.

  Name days: Alphaios, Alpheios, Philadelphos

• Hesychios of Antioch

  Martyr, Ησύχιος ο Ομολογητής

  Holy Martyr Hesychios of Antioch, a senior official drowned in the Orontes for his faith.

  Name days: Hesychios, Isychios, Hesychius

• Erasmus and Onesimus with Fourteen Martyrs

  Martyr, Έρασμος και Ονήσιμος

  Holy Martyrs Erasmus, Onesimus and the fourteen who suffered with them in Sicily.

  Name days: Erasmos, Erasmus

• Laurence the Monk

  Venerable, Λαυρέντιος ο Όσιος

  Venerable Laurence, a monk who reposed in peace.

  Name days: Lavrentios, Laurentius, Lawrence

• Passarion, Agapios and Philemon

  Venerable, Πασσαρίων, Αγάπιος και Φιλήμων

  Venerable Passarion the Presbyter, with Agapios and Philemon, ascetics of Palestine.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.