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Simeon the God-Receiver
(IV century BC - century), righteous Memory February 3, December 1 - transfer of relics in 351 (Greek) [1])
He was, according to the testimony of the holy evangelist Luke, one of God’s chosen ones who awaited the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit abided on him (Luke 2:25). He was told by God that he would not die until the promised Messiah, Christ the Lord, came to the world.
Ancient historians report that the Egyptian king Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-247 BC) wanted to replenish his famous Alexandrian library with the texts of the Holy Books. He invited scribes from Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin sent its wise men. Among the 72 scholars who arrived in Alexandria to translate the Holy Scriptures into Greek, righteous Simeon was invited. (The work was completed and received the name “Translation of 72 Interpreters.” It was from this that the Old Testament was subsequently translated into Slavic for the Bulgarian, Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches.)
Righteous Simeon translated the book of the prophet Isaiah. Having read in the original the words “Behold, the Virgin is with child and will give birth to a Son” (Is. 7:14), he decided that the word “Virgin” was used here erroneously, instead of the word “Wife,” and wanted to correct the text. At that moment, an Angel appeared to him and held his hand, saying: “Have faith in the written words, you yourself will be convinced that they will be fulfilled, for you will not taste death until you see Christ the Lord, who will be born of the Pure and Immaculate Virgin.” From that day on, righteous Simeon began to await the coming of the Promised Messiah.
And then one day the righteous Simeon, led by the Spirit of God, came to the Temple of Jerusalem. It was on that very day (the fortieth day after the Nativity of Christ) when the Most Pure Virgin Mary and Her Betrothed Joseph came there to perform the ritual prescribed by Jewish law - to present their Divine Firstborn before the Lord and make the prescribed sacrifice. As soon as righteous Simeon saw those who had come, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that the Infant of God, whom the Most Pure Virgin Mary was holding, was the expected Messiah, the Savior of the world.
The elder took the Infant Christ into his arms and uttered his prophetic words: “Now, O Master, you are releasing Your servant in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared before the face of all people. Light for the enlightenment of the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel."
He blessed the Most Pure Virgin and Righteous Joseph and, turning to the Mother of God, said:
“Behold, this One is destined for the fall and uprising of many in Israel and as a subject of controversy, and a weapon will pierce your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed”
(Lk 2, 22-35).
It is known about the holy and righteous Simeon the God-Receiver that he died after living for 360 years.
In the century, his holy relics were transferred from Jerusalem to Constantinople. In 1200, his coffin was seen by the Russian pilgrim Saint Anthony, the future Archbishop of Novgorod (1212-1220; + 1232).
In the 13th century, after the IV Crusade and the defeat of Constantinople by the Western knights, the relics of St. Simeon, among many other relics, were taken to the West. It is believed that the shrine was intended for further transfer to Venice, but a storm on the Adriatic Sea led to the ship deviating from its course and arriving at the coast, which is now part of Croatia. Relics of St. Simeon from that time remained in Zadar, which at that time belonged to Venice.
In 2007, during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Zadar Ivan Prendea met with the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III. During the conversation, the prelate agreed to return the relics of St. Simeon to Jerusalem, to an Orthodox monastery dedicated to this saint. Archbishop Prendea died in January 2010, but his successor, Archbishop Zelimir Pulic, fulfilled the promise made by his predecessor in the see. In October 2010, a ceremony was held in Zadar during which the relics of St. Simeon the God-Receiver were handed over to representatives of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
On the memory of the transfer of relics
The “Palestinian-Georgian calendar” of the 10th century and related Georgian manuscripts preserved the tradition of celebrating the transfer of the relics of the Apostle James, the brother of the Lord, the righteous Simeon the God-Receiver and Zechariah, the father of the Baptist, on December 1, and their discovery on May 25, 351. They are based on a letter from a certain John that has come down to us in several Georgian manuscripts, which contains a narrative about these events. One 10th-century Latin document (BHL 4099) confirms this date, identifying Simeon and Zechariah with two Jewish priests who, being present at the martyrdom of St. James, denounced their fellow believers for this act and themselves suffered the same fate [2].
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Life of Simeon the God-Receiver
Information about the saint is scanty.
We learn that during the reign of King Ptolemy II, he, along with other translators, was invited to the court to translate the text of the Bible from Hebrew into Greek. The significance of the work that Simeon and 70 other learned men performed is enormous, because it was from this translation that the Holy Scriptures were later translated into Slavic, Serbian and Bulgarian.
In the process of translation, Simeon the God-Receiver encounters a phrase that seems erroneous to him, that the Virgin will carry and give birth to a Son. An educated translator wants to write “wife” instead of “Virgin,” but the most important sign in his life occurs: the Angel himself, who appears before him, demands to believe what is written and gives him a prophecy that he will not die until he sees with his own eyes the Savior who has come into the world.
Another legend is connected with this peculiar distrust of Simeon. Returning from Alexandria to Palestine and crossing a stream of water, Simeon throws a precious ring at him, saying that he will believe the words of the prophet if the ring is found soon. And the seemingly incredible happens: the old man discovers his ring in the fish he bought for dinner.
Everything in this legend is full of deep religious symbolism: wanting to get a resolution to the doubts that torment him, Simeon without hesitation parted with the jewel, that is, he shows his indifference to earthly, temporary riches; The ring was not just found, but was in a fish, which is a symbol of Jesus Christ among Christians. Thus, it is as if the Lord himself gives the answer to the question that worried the elder.
Simeon the God-Receiver lived an unusually long life. By the way he is called in the texts of the Holy Scriptures, it can be assumed that he was a priest. One day, having arrived at the Jerusalem Temple, he meets on its steps the Virgin Mary and Joseph, who, according to tradition, brought the infant Christ to the Temple on the fortieth day of his birth. The elder takes the child in his arms and realizes that he is holding exactly the baby whose birth the prophets had spoken about long before.
Simeon utters the words that now he can leave this world, because the prophecy given to him came true, and he saw with his own eyes the one who came to save humanity from sin. He also tells Maria that the child she gives birth to will change the whole world, and his fate will bring her, the mother, a lot of pain and suffering.
The moment of this meeting, or in Church Slavonic, the meeting of the Old Testament elder and the Savior who came into the world, past and future, the moment when the prophecy came true and the light of hope shone over the world, is celebrated by the Orthodox Church, marking the feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
Simeon the God-Receiver died at the age of 360 years.
Video: Life of Simeon the God-Receiver
How to pray for the health of a child?
Of course, when children are sick, all parents expect help from doctors. However, we must not forget about the power of faith in the Lord. Cases of inexplicable, from the point of view of doctors, healings from the most severe and hopeless diseases are not so rare.
Prayer to Simeon the God-Receiver for the health of children can be different. Here is one example:
“Saint Simeon, who took the baby Jesus into his arms! Do not leave without intercession before the Lord in the hour of difficult trial. Help, beg the Lord to heal my child (child’s name) from his illness. Strengthen my spirit, give me strength and meekness, do not allow me to grumble, fill my soul with humility. Give strength to endure this difficult test, both for me and for the child (child’s name). Take away his suffering and give health to my child. Amen".
Icon of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver
On holy icons, icon painters often depict the righteous man as an old man with gray hair and a beard, holding the baby Jesus in his arms. Simeon the God-Receiver is dressed in black or blue monastic robes.
With great love, he pressed his cheek to the Infant of God, the saint’s gaze was thoughtfully directed into the distance. He realizes that the prophecy given to him by God has come true, and now he can die. But at the same time, he also knows about the trial-filled fate of Christ, about his mission to save humanity.
The image of the holy elder breathes with wisdom and love. In the saint’s hand is a scroll on which you can see the words “Now dost thou release thy servant, O Master,...”. The image of a saint with a book or scroll suggests that in earthly life he was a priest and preached the word of God. This fully applies to Simeon the God-Receiver.
Also, the righteous Simeon the God-Receiver and the prophetess Anna are depicted on the icon of the Presentation at the moment when the Mother of God hands the baby into the arms of the elder, and he receives him with unusual reverence.
What is it customary to pray to a saint for?
Historically, prayer to Simeon the God-Receiver helps to cope with:
- with illnesses, both physical and spiritual;
- with the machinations of ill-wishers, damage or the evil eye;
- with difficulties in captivity;
- with overwhelming sinful thoughts.
They ask the saint not only for help in healing from illnesses, but also for the opportunity to avoid them.
Church hymns in honor of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver
Prayer to Saint Simeon the God-Receiver
Orthodox Christians turn to Saint Simeon, like other saints, for help and support in difficult moments of life, thank him for his protection and hope for the mercy of God. In the prayer to Simeon the God-Receiver there are the words “Now you let go...”.
Perhaps that is why believers often pray to this saint for the fate of prisoners, for peace and prosperity in the family, for the health of children and intercession for them before the Lord, for liberation from heavy thoughts and sinful suspicions, thoughts, so that the saint will help them find their one and only path in life.
Video: Prayer to Saint Simeon
Song of Simeon the God-Receiver in the divine service of the Orthodox Church
The words of the holy elder “Now dost thou let Thy servant go in peace, O Master, according to Thy word...”, quoted in one of the Gospel texts, is usually called the song of Simeon the God-Receiver. In it, the saint thanks the creator for the opportunity to see Christ who came into the world.
It has been preserved to this day in the evening service and among the prayers of thanksgiving following communion. It is also performed at the time of baptism of male children, when they are brought into the altar.
Video: Song of Simeon at the service
Troparion and canon in honor of the saint
The troparion is a short chant that reflects the main essence of the holiday and event. The canon is a larger work of church poetry, consisting of 9 songs. They glorify a holiday or a saint.
Initially, it was considered obligatory in the canon to discover the connection of a given event or holiday with the events of the Old Testament, but now this requirement is rarely observed. Troparary chants and a canon in honor of Simeon the God-Receiver are performed in Orthodox churches on the day of remembrance of the saint.
The short life of a righteous man - a servant of God
Simeon Verkhotursky was born into a wealthy noble family in European Russia. Deciding to serve God, the young man left his home and went far beyond the Urals. He hid his noble origins, led the life of a hermit and preached faith in Christ to the indigenous peoples of Siberia, who did not even have written language.
The ascetic Simeon strengthened the faith of the recently baptized residents of Siberia, preached a sinless life and faith in the true God to Gentiles, gradually bringing many to Christianity.
In the summer, the educator lived in the taiga, catching fish for food. In winter he lived with his customers; he was good at sewing fur coats. There is a legend that the ascetic did not want to take money for his work, so he left his fur coat a little unfinished and secretly left. He was even beaten for this.
Simeon of Verkhoturye spent most of his time in the virgin taiga, devoted to the thought of God and prayer. Sometimes he came to church and prayed there. Most often it was the village of Merkusheno on the banks of the Tura River. The blessed one was buried there, in the churchyard in 1642.
Relics of the Prophet
As already mentioned, Saint Simeon lived 360 years. There is no exact information about the place of his burial. In Jerusalem, they point to a grave pit in one of the aisles of the Greek church as a possible burial place of the saint. According to other sources, Simeon the God-Receiver was killed during the massacre of the infants, when the king's guards
Herod was interrogated, trying to find out about the whereabouts of Jesus. According to apocryphal legends, after the resurrection of Christ, Simeon, like other righteous people, was resurrected to eternal life.
In the sixth century, his relics were transferred to Constantinople to the Chalcopratian Temple, located at the Copper Gate of the capital of Byzantium. About the veneration of his tomb in 1200. reports Saint Anthony of Novgorod, who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Currently, in the German city of Aachen, the right hand (right hand) of the saint is kept in a special reliquary casket. You can venerate the shrine only once every seven years, when it is put on display for pilgrims.
The reliquary, made by skilled ancient craftsmen, is a small casket decorated with precious stones, with sculptures of the Virgin Mary and St. Simeon receiving the baby Savior into his hands.
The relics themselves appeared in 1243 in the Croatian city of Zara (Zadar), where they are located in a special sarcophagus in the Church of St. Simeon.
How to pray for children?
The prayer to Simeon the God-Receiver, which protects newborns from all kinds of evil, disease and the evil eye, has been widespread in Rus' since ancient times. In order to ask the saint for protection and protection for a child, it is not at all necessary to use ready-made texts from prayer books. All of them were compiled by people, so there are no obstacles to praying in your own words.
Simeon the Receiver of God will certainly heed his ardent words, filled with sincere care and, of course, faith. A prayer for children who have recently seen the world can be formulated in your own words. You can also use ready-made text. For example:
“God-receiver, holy elder, Simeon! Hear me, servant of God (proper name), grant me your mercies. I ask you to protect my baby (child’s name), to protect him from all evil. Protect everyone from bad people and from illnesses, from misfortunes. Grant him a quiet and comfortable life, long and in good health. Save from sorrows and burdens, but endow with joys and earthly blessings. Amen"
Temples and monasteries consecrated in honor of St. Simeon the God-Receiver
Orthodox churches, monasteries, cathedrals in honor of the memory of St. Simeon the God-Receiver operate in different cities of Russia: in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Veliky Novgorod and Tyumen. There is a convent consecrated in honor of Saints Simeon and Anna in the Chelyabinsk region in the village of Kizilskoye.
The temple in the city on the Neva is the most ancient building with an interesting history. Built at the beginning of the 18th century according to the design of the architect Zemtsov in the style of classicism, it was a court church for a long time, then in the 19th century it transferred from the category of diocesan churches. In 1938, the Soviet government opened a warehouse on its premises, and a little later a meteorological museum. The church was returned to believers only in 1991.
There is such a temple in Jerusalem, where the holy elder once lived. In Katamon, one of the districts of the city, the burial place of the saint has also been preserved; above his grave there is a white marble slab and icons telling about the episodes of his earthly journey.
Church Orthodox holidays February 16
Today, February 12, the church also honors Orthodox saints, this is a day of remembrance:
Afterfeast of the Presentation of the Lord
On Sunday, February 16th, Orthodox believers continue to celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. It is customary to attend church services and also read prayers.
Blessed Roman Uglichsky
On February 16, the church honors Prince Roman, the Uglich ruler. After the death of his father Vladimir, Prince Uglich, and his brother Andrei, he assumed the throne at the age of 26. He ruled well, established almshouses, where he received the poor and wretched from all over the principality. Under him, 15 Orthodox churches were built. Prince Roman took part in divine services every day and did not disdain intimate conversations with pious monks. When his wife died in 1280, Roman focused on serving the Lord, fasting, reading prayers and actively participating in charity. The city of Romanov (now Tutaev) was built on the Volga. He died in 1285 and received saint status 300 years after his death.
Equal to the Apostles Nicholas of Japan
The name of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan, is associated with the establishment of the Orthodox faith in Japan. Born in 1836 in the Smolensk province. Father was a local deacon. He graduated from the Belsk Theological School, and then from the Theological Academy in St. Petersburg. At his own request, he went to Japan to spread Orthodoxy in this country. He served in the consular temple located in the city of Hakodate. For half a century of apostolic feat, the Holy Synod in 1970 decided to canonize Nicholas of Japan as a saint, conferring the title “equal to the apostles” prince.
God from a book
– On the feast of Candlemas, we remember how Elder Simeon met the living God. Today we have a lot of knowledge “about God” - books, commentaries on how to live as a Christian. And a subtle substitution arises: you read books “about God”, and it seems that you have “met”. What to do with this gap between the “god from the book” and the God whom Simeon met?
– What does the reader himself look for in a book? Guide to action or “do it for me spiritually”? Knowledge from a book - like the grain in the Gospel parable of the Sower - dries up if there is no nutrient medium - experience, action.
Books read incorrectly can become ersatz. As an ersatz of something, they in some way quench the thirst for knowledge, and at some point the feeling of internal hunger is dulled.
But this only gives a semblance of saturation, and therefore there is a feeling of substitution, self-deception. If, without practicing the first, I take up the second, third, fifth, then my entire experience of “God” remains exclusively fantasy and speculation and only distances me from the meeting.
Sometimes the thirst for knowledge “through reading” paradoxically testifies not to the search for God, but to the closure of the question of God.
I am ready to read “about God” and admire. In some places I’m not ready to humble myself, but in others, on the contrary, to dare, but I’m just not ready to pray - I don’t have time. And if I read it, it’s like I “did” something, acquired a certain portion of spirituality and am free, the gestalt is closed.
And it is not a fact that this problem is somehow systematically recognized by people.
