Righteous Samson, Judge of Israel

The Old Testament Judge Samson (12th–11th century BC) belonged to the tribe of Dan and was one of the last Judges of Israel during the period of Philistine oppression. His exploits are recorded in the Book of Judges (chs. 13-16): a Nazirite from his mother's womb endowed with superhuman strength rooted in his uncut hair, Samson single-handedly struck down the enemies of Israel. Betrayed by the treacherous Delilah, who had his hair cut while he slept, he was blinded and captured by the Philistines, but in the final hour of his life, his strength miraculously restored, he brought down the pagan temple of Dagon, destroying himself along with a multitude of his enemies. The Apostle Paul lists Samson (Hebrews 11:32) among the Old Testament men renowned for their faith. The righteous Samson has no individual, universally fixed feast day: he is commemorated among the other Old Testament righteous on the movable Sunday of the Holy Forefathers before the Nativity.