St. Simon

St. Simon the Apostle is named in the Gospel lists among the Twelve and is surnamed "the Zealot" (or "the Cananean"), a title that suggests either fervent zeal for God's law or an association with the Jewish party that longed for Israel's freedom. Scripture records no words or deeds of him beyond his call and his presence among the apostles at Pentecost, so that he remains one of the more hidden figures of the Twelve.

Early tradition holds that after Pentecost he preached the Gospel widely, in Egypt and Persia and, according to some accounts, together with St. Jude in the lands of the East, and that the two apostles were martyred together for the faith. Because so little is known of him with certainty, the Church honors him chiefly as one who left all to follow Christ and gave his life in witness. He is celebrated with St. Jude on 28 October.