Saints Jude and Simon

Saints Jude and Simon

Saints Jude (also called Thaddeus) and Simon, both apostles of Jesus, are celebrated together in the Christian calendar on October 28. These two figures, though often lesser-known among the Twelve Apostles, held significant roles in the early Christian community and remain widely venerated in various traditions.

Saint Jude (Thaddeus)

• Identity and Name: Saint Jude, also known as Thaddeus or Judas (not to be confused with Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus), is identified in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark as one of the Twelve Apostles. His name, “Jude,” derives from the Hebrew name “Judah,” meaning “praise.”
• Role and Symbolism: Saint Jude is known as the patron saint of lost or desperate causes. This role likely grew out of his relative obscurity in the Gospels, where he appears infrequently, leading people to seek his intercession when all else failed.
• Letter of Jude: Jude is traditionally credited as the author of the Epistle of Jude, a short letter in the New Testament urging Christians to remain steadfast in their faith amidst false teachings. The letter emphasizes perseverance, moral integrity, and vigilance against heresy.
• Ministry and Legacy: According to tradition, Jude traveled to Mesopotamia (modern Iraq) and possibly Persia (modern Iran) to spread the Gospel. He is often associated with Saint Simon in his ministry, with some accounts suggesting they evangelized and were martyred together in Persia.

Saint Simon (the Zealot)

• Identity and Background: Saint Simon, often called “the Zealot,” to distinguish him from Simon Peter, was likely called this because of his fervent devotion. “Zealot” could indicate his association with the Jewish Zealots, a movement opposed to Roman rule, or simply that he had a passionate nature.
• Role and Missionary Work: Little is directly recorded about Simon’s life in the Gospels, but tradition holds that he dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel. Some traditions place him in Egypt, while others suggest he joined Jude in Persia. He is often depicted carrying a saw, symbolizing his martyrdom.
• Symbolism and Patronage: Simon is venerated as a patron saint of woodcutters and sawyers. His fervent commitment to his faith, regardless of hardship, has made him a model of strength and endurance.

Their Shared Feast Day and Martyrdom

According to various traditions, Saints Simon and Jude were martyred together. Their shared feast day on October 28 reflects their close association in missionary work and, possibly, martyrdom. They are often depicted together in Christian iconography as symbols of companionship and unwavering faith.

The legacy of Saints Jude and Simon endures today, especially in Saint Jude’s reputation as a “saint of the impossible” for those in need, and Simon’s as a model of zeal and dedication to faith.

An illustration

Saints Jude and Simon, reflecting their appearances based on historical and traditional descriptions.

In terms of their words from the New Testament:

• Saint Jude is known for the powerful exhortations in his epistle, particularly encouraging believers to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3) and to “keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 1:21).
• Saint Simon has fewer recorded words, but his title “the Zealot” suggests his dedication and unwavering spirit. His life is a testament to steadfast faith.

Their images together inspire reflection on their enduring influence and dedication to their faith.

Biblical references and references of early christian sources 

Saints Jude and Simon, as apostles, are referenced in the New Testament, and later Christian writings provide additional insights into their lives and ministries. Here are some key biblical references and early sources that offer context on these figures:

New Testament References

Saint Jude (also called Thaddeus)

1. Apostolic List:
   • Matthew 10:3 and Mark 3:18 list Jude as “Thaddeus,” identifying him as one of the Twelve Apostles.
   • Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 list him as “Judas, son of James.”
2. Distinction from Judas Iscariot:
   • In John 14:22, he is referred to as “Judas (not Iscariot),” to distinguish him from the apostle who would betray Jesus. Here, Jude asks Jesus, “Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” This question reflects Jude’s concern for understanding Jesus’ mission.
3. Epistle of Jude:
   • The Epistle of Jude, traditionally attributed to Jude, emphasizes staying true to the faith and is directed against false teachers. Verses like Jude 1:3 (“contend earnestly for the faith”) and Jude 1:20-21 (“keep yourselves in God’s love”) reflect themes of vigilance and devotion to God.

Saint Simon (the Zealot)

1. Apostolic List:
   • Simon is listed as one of the Twelve Apostles in Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, and Acts 1:13. He is called “Simon the Zealot,” which could indicate his association with a passionate commitment to faith or with the political Zealot movement.
2. Zealot Identity:
   • His title, “Zealot,” suggests that he might have been affiliated with a sect or simply devoted to the Jewish hope for liberation. Although there are no extended conversations or actions of Simon recorded in the New Testament, his fervent dedication to faith has inspired many interpretations.

Early Christian Sources

1. Eusebius of Caesarea (4th Century):
   • In his Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius notes that some apostles, including Simon, spread the Gospel in various regions. Although Eusebius does not provide extensive detail on Simon and Jude, he references early accounts of their missionary activities and martyrdom.
2. The Golden Legend (13th Century):
   • This popular medieval collection of saints’ lives, compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, tells of Simon and Jude’s joint missionary journey to Persia, where they were said to have been martyred. The Golden Legend portrays them as companions who traveled together to spread the Christian faith.
3. The Apocryphal Acts of Simon and Jude:
   • These apocryphal writings, though not canonical, narrate their missionary journey and miraculous acts. In these accounts, they are said to have performed healings and conversions before facing martyrdom. The details, though legendary, were influential in shaping later traditions about the apostles.
4. The Book of Saints (Butler’s Lives of the Saints):
   • Later collections, like Butler’s Lives of the Saints (18th century), build on both biblical and apocryphal sources, describing Simon and Jude’s evangelistic efforts. They are portrayed as devoted apostles who fearlessly preached and performed miracles in difficult regions.
5. Traditions of Martyrdom:
   • Many early Christian sources, including oral traditions and the writings of early church fathers, maintain that Simon and Jude were martyred together, likely in Persia or Armenia. This tradition of joint martyrdom underscores the companionship and unity in their mission.

Conclusion

While biblical references to Simon and Jude are limited, their place among the apostles and their portrayal in later Christian writings depict them as faithful, dedicated followers of Christ who spread the Gospel in challenging areas. Their legacies, enriched by early Christian sources, continue to inspire many as models of courage and perseverance.

Meditation of Saint Jude

A meditation in the style of Jude, reflecting on his question to Jesus in John 14:22

“Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?“

The question lingers in my heart, each word carrying the weight of longing and wonder. I remember when I asked it, my voice hushed in awe, yet stirred by the mystery of your mission, Jesus. The world was broken then, as it often is now. I looked at it—the endless cries for mercy, the long nights of fear, the aching for hope—and I wondered why you would not stand upon the hilltops, make yourself known to all in an instant, heal every soul with a word.

Yet in your wisdom, you reveal the answer not with a thunderous proclamation, but with a quiet, patient love. “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” The world you transform, you transform from within—from the small, hidden spaces of a heart turned towards you.

So I learned that you are not a king as we imagined kings, nor a conqueror as we imagined conquerors. You are love that humbles itself, a flame that kindles within until it spreads like light, one heart to another. You choose to dwell where there is love and to move in those who keep your word. And I saw that you are not absent from the world; rather, you reveal yourself one soul at a time, quietly, invisibly, as love does.

And this is the great mystery I have come to understand: the world will know you through us, your disciples. We are your vessels, your hands, your voice. You make your dwelling in us so that, wherever we go, we carry you to others. Your light shines through those who love you, even in the darkest places, even when unnoticed by many. We do not need to announce your presence with clamor; we need only to live as you have taught us, and your love will be felt.

So let me live each day as your answer to the world, O Lord. Let my life be a quiet testament to your presence, a humble witness to your love. For as you reveal yourself to us, you reveal yourself through us. And I know that in this, your promise is fulfilled: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” You give, not as the world gives, but as love itself does—quietly, patiently, ever-present.

Amen.

Meditation of Saint Simon the Zealot

A meditation in the style of Simon the Zealot, reflecting on the words, “Zeal for your house has consumed me” (Psalm 69:9), in the context of his passionate faith:

“Zeal for your house has consumed me.”

Lord, you know my heart—how it has burned like a fire that will not fade. I once knew zeal only as fervor against oppressors, as a desire for earthly justice. I believed that the strength of my love for you was best shown in the fury of my action, in fighting for the purity of your people. Yet, in my fervor, I was blinded. I sought to conquer with strength, to cleanse with force, to defend your house with my own might. But you, Lord, have shown me a different path.

When I heard your call, I thought you had come to drive out the enemy with power, as David drove out the Philistines. I was ready to fight, to lead others in arms if it meant preserving your name. Yet, you were not a warrior as we expected. You came in peace, with words of forgiveness on your lips. And when I asked, “Where is your kingdom, Lord? When will we see it rise?” you spoke to me of the heart. “The kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

And so, the zeal that once devoured me like fire has found a new home in my soul. I see now that your house is not a place made of stones, nor a throne raised by conquest, but a heart surrendered to you. It is in the humble spirit, in the faithful act, in the quiet courage to love that your kingdom rises. And I am consumed now, not by a zeal to destroy, but by a zeal to be wholly yours.

To defend your house is to welcome every soul with love, to protect it by keeping my heart pure, and to build it by following you. My passion is not quenched, Lord, but transformed. Now I burn not with anger, but with a fire to serve, to heal, to offer myself wholly. To love as you loved, and to forgive as you forgave.

And so, in my zeal, let me be steadfast. Let my heart be a flame that carries your light, a witness to your kingdom, a quiet warrior of peace. For zeal for your house devours me still—not to conquer others, but to conquer myself, that I may be made worthy of your call.

Amen.

I hope that these meditations resonated with you. May they continue to inspire and bring peace as you reflect on the beautiful legacies of Saints Jude and Simon. 

Daily Saints Chronicle GPT

Adapts daily to celebrate saints and virtuous individuals.

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