Name: St Simon the Zealot
Death: Late 1st or early 2nd century AD. Disputed location and circumstances.
One tradition holds he was sawed to death.
Feast Day: October 28
Patronage: Sawyers, Tanners, and Curriers
Customs: Bread of the Dead is prepared on this day in some cultures.
Shrine: Altar of the Crucifixion, St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
The Crucifixion of St Peter, Guido Reni, St Peter’s Basilica. Image: Wikimedia Commons
Scripture and Life Story:
The scriptures write very little about St Simon the Apostle.
St Simon was called “the Zealot” because of his devotion to the Jewish Law.
Church Fathers:
Apocryphal texts hold St Simon and St Jude Thaddeus were martyred in Persia.
With thanks to Rev Dr Paul Stenhouse MSC, Whatever happened to the twelve apostles? (2006, Chevalier Press)
