It is celebrated on April 27 of each year.
Saint Simeon was one of the four sons of the minister Joseph and the brother of his brother Jacob, who became the first bishop of Jerusalem. After the murder of Jacobus, Simeon took over as bishop. Throughout his episcopal tenure, he was worthy of his brother. His inexhaustible combativeness, his perfect self-denial, as well as his incomparable courage, made Simeon a bright spiritual star, through which many souls were supported and led to salvation.
The most impressive feature of Simeon, however, was his indomitable attitude. Although an old man of 120 years, he did not bend in the face of torture. He suffered with youthful ardor the crucifixion in the year 107 AD. And the young soul of the elder Simeon departed near the crowning Lord. Of course, with his example, he taught his flock the commandment of the Apostle Paul: “Take care of things above, not things on earth” (Pros Kolassaeis, 3′ 2).
That is, upwards, towards God, direct and fix your thoughts, not on earthly and perishable things. Because even Simeon, although an old man of 120 years, inspired by such an attitude, faced the martyrdom like a boy. In the Paris Codices is the Order of Saint Simeon, a poem by the hymn writer Theophanos. (Some Synaxarists also commemorate September 18).
