Simon, who came from Cana of Galilee, lived near the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos. At his wedding feast, he invited Jesus and His disciples. When the wine ran out, the Savior turned water into wine and offered it to the guests. Witnessing this miracle, Simon believed in Christ and, leaving behind his married life, chose to become a zealot, following the Lord.
On the day of Pentecost, Simon received the grace of the Holy Spirit. From then on, he preached the Gospel in many lands, including Egypt, Mauretania, Libya, Numidia, Cyrene, and Britain. He enlightened the people and brought many to Christianity, for which he was crucified, ending his life with a martyr’s death, similar to the Passion of Christ.
Simon the Zealot was buried in Nicopolis, where a church was later built on the site of his martyrdom. The memory of the saint is celebrated on June 30, together with the commemoration of the other apostles.
