The PriestMartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia
Commemorated on April 17
The PriestMartyr
Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during the time of a persecution against
Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II (310-381). He was the bishop of
Seleucia – Xeziphon. They accused the saint of being in collaboration with the
Greek realm and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.
In the year 344 the
emperor issued an edict, which imposed a grievous tax upon Christians. When
certain of them refused to pay it (this was fancied to be a rebellion), the
emperor started a fierce persecution against Christians. They brought Saint
Simeon to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of the Persian realm,
together with the two Presbyter-Martyrs Habdelai and Ananios. The holy
bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked, why he would not show him
the obligatory respect. The saint answered: "Earlier I did bow to thy
dignity, but now, when I am led forth for this, to renounce my God and quit my
faith, it doth not become me to bow to thee".
The emperor urged him
to worship the sun, and in case of refusal he threatened to wipe out
Christianity in the land. But neither urgings nor threats could shake the
bravely steadfast saint, and they led him off to prison. Along the way the
eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the emperor, caught sight of the saint. He
rose up and bowed to the bishop, but the saint turned away from him in reproach
that he, a former Christian, out of fear of the emperor, now worshipped the
sun. The eunuch repented with all his heart, he replaced his fine attire for
coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out bitterly:
"Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut off. Here –
was Simeon, and he hath turned his back on me!" The emperor Sapor learned
about the grief of his beloved tutor and asked him what had happened. That one
said openly to the emperor, that he bitterly regretted his apostasy and would
no more worship the sun, but only the One True God. The emperor was surprised
at such sudden decisiveness in the old man and he flatteringly urged him not to
abjure the gods, whom their fathers had reverenced. But Usphazanes was
unyielding, and they condemned him to death by execution. The only request of
the Martyr Usphazanes was that the city heralds report, that he died not for
crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian. The emperor granted his
request.
Saint Simeon also
learned about the end of the Martyr Usphazanes and with tears he offered up
thanks to the Lord. When they brought him a second time before the emperor,
Saint Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and he confessed his faith
in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders, in front of the eyes of the saint,
to behead all the Christians in the prison. Without fear the Christians went to
execution, blessed by the sainted-hierarch, and they themselves put their heads
beneathe the sword. Thus also was beheaded the companion of Saint Simeon, the
Priest Habdelai. When the line reached down to the Priest Ananios, he suddenly
trembled. Then one of the dignitaries, Saint Phusikos, a secret
Christian, became frightened that Ananios would renounce Christ, and he cried
out loudly: "Fear not, elder, the sight of the cutting, and thou immediately
wilt see the Divine Light of our Lord Jesus Christ". By this outburst he
betrayed himself. The emperor gave orders to pluck out the tongue of Saint
Phusikos and to flay the skin from him. Together with Saint Phusikos was
martyred his daughter, the Martyress Askitrea. Saint Simeon went last to
the executioner and with a prayer he placed his head on the chopping-block (+
13 April 344). The whole of the Paschal Week until 23 April executions
continued. Also to accept a martyr's death was Saint Azates the Eunuch,
a close official to the emperor. The sources indicate, that 1,000 Martyrs
accepted suffering, and then still another 100 or 150 more.
© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.