The Fifteenth Day of the Blessed Month of Bashans
Bashans 15
Martyrdom of St. Simon the Zealot, the
Apostle known as (Simon the Canaanite)
On this day, St. Simon the Zealot, the
apostle of our Lord (Whose name also is Nathanael,
Jn 1:45-55), was martyred.
He was born in Cana of Galilee, and was expert in the Law and books of
the prophets. He had a fervor zeal, so he was called the Zealot, and he
was righteous, pious, and did not show favor to anyone. So when Philip
the Apostle said to him: "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and
also the prophets, wrote; Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." Nathanael
said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him,
"Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him,
"Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said to Him,
"How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called
you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael, who realized
that He knew the hidden secrets, answered and said to Him: "Rabbi, You
are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" It was said that when
he was a young man, he quarrelled with a man, killed him, and buried him
under the fig tree, and no one knew about it. It was also said that at
the time of the slaughter of the children of Bethlehem by Herod, his mother
hid him under a fig tree that was in her house. She nursed him during the
night and hid him during the day, and continued to do so until the persecution
of Herod died down. His mother did not tell him about this until he was
fully grown and he never told anyone about this. When Jesus revealed that
to him, he realized that He was the omniscient God, bowed before him, and
was obedient to Him. He believed, followed Him, and became one of His twelve
disciples. After he had received the grace of the Holy Spirit on the day
of Pentecost, he spoke with tongues, enlightened the world with his evangelism,
and returned many to the faith in the Lord Christ. He preached in Africa,
and in the country of El-Bejah which extended from Aswan to the Red sea.
He also preached in the island of Bertanah, which was probably one of the
islands by the shore of the Red sea. He preached there with the Name of
Christ, and many tribulations befell him, but God added to his courage
and strength. God manifested on his hands many signs, and finally he was
martyred, crucified on a tree, and he received the crown of martyrdom.
May his intercession be with us. Amen.
Martyrdom of 400 martyrs in Dandara (Denderah)
On this day also, four hundred
Saints were martyred in Dendera, after they had suffered many tortures.
This was at the end of the reign of Emperor Diocletian.
May Their prayers be with us. Amen.
Commemoration of St. Mina the Deacon
On this day also, is the commemoration
of Deacon Mina the anchorite.
May his prayers guard us, and glory be to our God forever. Amen.