Apostle
Apostle Simon the Zealot
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Apostle Simon the Zealot (Kananite) — one of the Twelve closest disciples of Christ, a native of Cana of Galilee; according to tradition, he was the bridegroom at the wedding in Cana where the Lord performed His first miracle, after which he followed Him; he preached in Judea, Egypt, Libya, and, according to Caucasian tradition, in Abkhazia, where he was martyred.
Apostle Simon, called the Zealot and Kananite — after his native town of Cana of Galilee — is listed among the Twelve Apostles by the Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and in Acts (the additional epithets distinguish him from Simon Peter). According to one tradition, it was at his wedding in Cana of Galilee that the Lord Jesus Christ performed His first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:1-11), after which Simon left everything and followed Christ. After Pentecost he preached in Judea, Egypt, Libya (Cyrene), Mauritania, and according to some Western traditions, even in Britain. According to Caucasian tradition, Apostle Simon, together with Apostle Andrew the First-Called, preached in the mountains of Svaneti and then in Abkhazia, where he stayed in the city of Sebastopolis (modern Sukhumi); a grotto in New Athos is traditionally associated with his ascetic labors. He was martyred (according to some accounts crucified, according to others sawn in two). His relics are venerated in New Athos (Abkhazia), as well as in Cologne and the Vatican. His memory is kept on May 10/23, as well as in the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles on June 30/July 13.
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