St. Simeon

Saint Simeon

Bishop & Martyr

Simeon was one of Our Lord’s first cousins, and called the son of St. Cleophas, whom some like St. Jerome identify with Alpheus, the father of St. James the Lesser. This would make James and Simeon brothers, and direct nephews of St. Joseph, whose brother was St. Cleophas, and possibly also of the Blessed Mother, since some claim that St. Mary, the wife of Cleophas, was also sister or half-sister to the Blessed Mother. In any case, Simeon was an early disciple of Christ, and he succeeded St. James the Lesser as Bishop of Jerusalem when James was thrown from the roof of the Temple and then beaten to death by the Jews. When the Jews rebelled against Roman rule in the year of Our Lord 66, Bishop Simeon was guided by God to lead the Christians out of Jerusalem, avoiding the bloody siege of the city. After many more years of spreading the Christian faith in the Holy Land, Simeon was betrayed to the Romans as a Christian and a member of the house of David, and was crucified. Despite his advanced age, being over one hundred years old, Simeon withstood the torments so manfully that even the Romans expressed their admiration.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for February 18th

AT Jerusalem, the birthday of St. Simeon, bishop and martyr, who is said to have been the son of Cleophas, and a relative of the Saviour according to the flesh. He was consecrated bishop of Jerusalem after St. James, the brother of our Lord, and in the persecution of Trajan, after having endured many torments, he consummated his martyrdom. All who were present, even the judge himself, were astonished that a man one hundred and twenty years of age could bear the torment of crucifixion with such fortitude and constancy.

At Ostia, the holy martyrs Maximus and his brother Claudius, and Praepedigna, the wife of Claudius, with her two sons Alexander and Cutias, all of an illustrious family. By the order of Diocletian, they were apprehended and sent into
exile. Afterwards being burned alive, they offered to God the sweet-smelling sacrifice of martyrdom. Their remains were cast into the river, but the Christians found them and buried them near that city.

In Africa, the holy martyrs Lucius, Sylvanus, Rutulus, Classicus, Secundinus, Fructulus, and Maximus.

At Constantinople, the holy bishop Flavian, who for having defended the Catholic faith at Ephesus, was buffeted and kicked by the partisans of the impious Dioscorus, and being banished, ended his life within three days.

At Toledo, St. Helladius, bishop and confessor.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.