By the beginning of the 15th century, several churches were built in Pitiunta (modern Pitsunda), the remains of which were studied by Soviet archaeologists. Now the excavations are mothballed, waiting in the wings...
In the first half of the 5th century, the Abkhazians adopted Christianity as the state religion, and from that time the construction of numerous temples began. In modern Abkhazia there are miraculously preserved churches from the 5th to 11th centuries, which survived numerous wars, natural disasters, and centuries of religious persecution. One of the churches is located in the village. Tsandrypsh. I want to tell you more about this village later...
Another Christian place is associated with the name of Simon the Canaanite.
Who is Simon the Canaanite?
Apostle Simon was one of the 12 Apostles. He is the third alleged brother of the Lord in the flesh according to the Gospel of Matthew.
There is a legend that at the wedding of Simon the Canaanite, Jesus Christ performed the first miracle by turning water into wine. Having seen the miracle, Simon believed in Christ so much that he followed the Savior, despite the fact that he had just gotten married.
The name Canaanite, which has sometimes been misunderstood as “from the city of Cana,” actually has the same meaning in Hebrew as the Greek word Zealot, “zealot.” Either this was the apostle’s own nickname, or it could mean his belonging to the political-religious movement of the Zealots (Zealots) - irreconcilable fighters against Roman rule.
The Holy Apostle Simon preached the teachings of Christ in Judea, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene and Britain. He suffered a martyr's death in Abkhazia. According to legend, the apostle was sawed alive with a saw. According to other sources, he was crucified on the cross. He was buried in the city of Nikopsia (now New Athos). Subsequently (in the 19th century), on the site of the exploits of the holy Apostle, near Mount Iveron, the New Athos Monastery of Simon the Canaanite was built. The cave in which he lived has been preserved.
First, when approaching the cave, is the Temple of the Holy Apostle Simon the Canaanite, built on the relics of the apostle in the 9th-10th centuries. For some time, the temple was the tomb of the highest clergy and the center of the Sukhumi diocese. It was restored several times (last time in 1882), but from the outside it retained its original appearance. Inside, under a layer of late plaster, there are small fragments of ancient wall painting.
The cave is the place that particularly impressed me...
Firstly, the path to the cave of Simon the Canaanite is very beautiful. Gorge, Psyrtskha River, “path of sinners”...
This is the New Athos railway station, it is not working now, it is on the way to the cave.
On one side of the path there is a stone with the imprint of the foot of Simon the Canaanite. He showed this miracle to the Romans, who were leading him to execution. According to some sources, it was not the Romans who executed him, but the ancestors of the Abkhazians who did not want to accept Christianity.
Place of death of Simon the Canaanite
Simon worked miracles. Together with the Apostle of Jesus Christ, Andrew the First-Called (according to one version, hiding from Roman legionnaires), he went to the Caucasus, choosing this place for preaching. Andrew the First-Called did not stay in our area and went further to Scythia, the ancestral home of Russia.
And Simon the Canaanite settled in the secluded place of Psyrtskha, in a cave. Tradition says that he entered his cave-cell through a narrow hole in the vault.
This was in 55 AD. Traditions say that thanks to the sermons of Simon the Canaanite, the cruel pagan custom of sacrificing babies and cannibalism to the gods was destroyed in Abkhazia.
In ancient Abkhazian parables there are often references to Saint Simon, who treated various ailments with the touch of his hand, splashed water on a sore spot, read a prayer in an unknown language, and everything went away.
I was shocked that my camera, which refused to adequately photograph the beauty of the New Athos cave, suddenly decided in complete darkness (!), since the cave was not illuminated by anything except a couple of candles in front of the icons, to photograph clearly, clearly! This is despite the fact that I did not switch to photography mode in the dark... Just a miracle!
Day of Simeon Zelotes.
Towards the end of May, or rather the 23rd of 2006, on a clear spring day, memorable, we set off on another, and as it seemed to us then, long and endless trip. We planned to cover about 700 kilometers in a week, based on the distance from the city we will not be more than three hundred away. I will not forget this trip until the end of my days.
The first car had already been waiting for us outside the city for an hour. They had a snack at a roadside vomit shop and stood at one of the turnoffs from the main highway...
Our morning didn’t go well. A punctured tire, traffic cops, a device head forgotten at home, all this did not contribute to the well-known proverb: The early bird gets the worm... The most unbearable thing is to wait and catch up. Crew No. 1, without waiting, moved on, notifying us by phone: “We’ll stop at Khandaevo for now, we’ll start there, and you catch up...
At this very time, Max is just picking me up.
-Sanyok, I forgot my phone at home, and the traffic cops also gave me a hard time... Call Mishanka, let her come out with her trunks, she’ll be calving now...
That's for sure, Mishanya is like that... He'll take with him a bunch of sleeping jackets, different coils, mom, don't worry! How can we get our Niva pumped to capacity...
Then it turns out that almost everything he brought with him was useful, and it seems like something necessary and extremely necessary on the road. And how many times has it happened, you are exhausted financially in five or six days on the road, in empty searches, then something appears... .and gasoline is at its limit, and there is almost no food... Is it really possible to hobble home without having had a sip? And then turn around and do it all over again, start racking up the kilometers? And here is Mishanya....
-Brothers, I have a reserve five, just in case... Let's go to the gas station, to the store, and then move on..
That's what he is, our Mishanya! Lucky!
We had rides, but we wasted time...and time is precious these days...For time in the treasure-hunting universe is the most merciless creature!
We have only just left the city, and the guys on the first Niva are calling back again...
-It’s a bummer at Khandayevo, we’re leaving for Batalaevo, catch up..
There is already an abyss between us, at three o'clock... We ask Max to push, he presses a hundred in his old Nyvka, the car shakes, hums, crackles and drives with all its might. The Kalinov Bridge is playing in the cabin, a fresh spring breeze, through the open windows the undead our stern faces, we are happy! Sometimes you need so little to be happy!
I sat comfortably in the back seat, and listened with pleasure to the cheerful chatter of the guys. They are again arguing about Admiral Kolchak. This is Mishanka’s favorite topic, he apparently knows everything about him. Where he got married, where he served, what he said... and it even seems that thought the admiral...
-I read somewhere that Kolchak and Denikin didn’t share the gold, so they became enemies... says Max.
“No, Maxim,” Mikha answers, it’s just that one was friends with the Germans, and the other planned to fight with them until victory...Sanya tell him...
I smile, I don’t want to delve into their argument, since from the very beginning each of them seeks to enlist my support and gain some kind of numerical advantage in the conversation. I feel so good that I don’t want to delve into some essence, I don’t want to argue, I I just want to so enthusiastically continue to be on this trip, look thoughtfully and fervently out the car window, enjoying the endless variety of wonders of Mother Nature, and the most ordinary road driving, into this attractive and still unknown, but already somehow predetermined.....and then... then get to the right place as soon as possible and slowly begin the incomparable excitement of searching for coins and treasures... And also the road... The road is one of the most exciting moments in our amateur profession of treasure hunting.
“Do you know what day it is today?” Mishanya asks us.
-Wednesday 23, what?
-You general stores are not paved, that’s what! Today is the day of Simeon Zelotes! Patron of all treasure hunters!
-So! but from this place in more detail...
Half an hour later we already know everything about Simeon Zelotes.
- Something is definitely going to happen today!
Guys are calling...
-God bless those who get up early!
-What do you have?
Found the clearing! Tens of nickels and other delights! Lyokha shopped his wallet, I bought a penny without letters from 1967!
Natural first question... - Is it good?
-Normal, everything is readable!
-Where is the clearing?
- Drive past Batalaevo, take the first turn to the right, cross the bridge and go straight down to the river, you’ll see us there. One piece per nose for entry!
We hear them laughing together...
-Is the clearing even big?
- Well, not to say very much... But we haven’t been walking for another hour, where are you?
- We’re passing Kolyuzhino...
-Where were you? Let's be sharper, we'll boil the tea and finish up... hurry up!
Time flies inexorably, it’s already three o’clock in the afternoon, and we still have an hour, an hour and a half before the guys... We are going, knowing that they are waiting for us.
Yes, today is definitely the day of Simeon Zelotes, I told you so!
Then Mishanya speaks to Max.
-Max, let’s turn to Torbeevo, remember Sanya, we’ve been wanting to stop by for a long time, everyone flew past...
Indeed, it happens that you are in a hurry somewhere further, you see a residential place and you think we’ll stop by on the way back. On the way back, you’re either tired or it’s already nightfall. Well then, next time!
-Torbeevo is no more than 10 kilometers away, basically half an hour’s work, and we’ll know if there’s any point in looking there...Do you agree?
After twenty minutes of jumping over country potholes and hillocks, we descend beyond Torbeevo...
-Brothers! This place is inhabited! Look, here’s the skeleton, and here’s another one!
Having quickly changed clothes and collected our equipment, we scattered around the clearing. The finds were not long in coming. A mismatched butorok, several imperial coins, a couple of Elizabethan money, still do not impress us, and we decide to quickly move towards the guys who, in our common understanding, should Now to dig up at least a few more Siberian kopecks...
I was already standing near the car and was hurrying the guys. Max was dragging his long and heavy shovel along the ground, recklessly throwing the Explorer over his shoulder... Mikha was fussing again...
-I can’t determine the center, it’s a coin signal, I’m afraid of damaging the thing...
Curiosity overcomes my desire to quickly move towards the guys on Batalaevo, and we approach Mishana. What we saw made us sweat...
The last coin turned out to be the Pavlovsk dvundel of 1801...49 Siberian tens and 15 nickels! For three persons!
We took a smoke break and called the guys back.
-How are you doing?
-We’re digging little by little, Lyokha twenty Katin canole, Ivan the seal of the foreman, I’m a ten Masonic 1834! That's it, the early bird gets the worm! Where are you?
-We’ve settled down at Torbeevo, we’re tearing up Siberia’s purse! Dozens of nickels of all kinds, 65 in total! So whoever drives more quietly will go further! Do you know what day it is today?
-In terms of?
-You general store, swamp tundras! Today is the day of Simeon Zealot, the patron saint of all treasure hunters! You need to know such things! I'm being clever... We're waiting for you to visit, take more money, enter the clearing in threes from the nose!.... now we're laughing....
This is how it always happens, the one who laughs last laughs best!
Well, yes, it was a long time ago... I could have embellished it a little, how many seasons have already flown by since then, can you really remember everything...
Simon Zelot
Further, in listing the names of the apostles, Luke names “Simon, called the Zealot” (Luke 6:15). In the Gospel of Matthew (10:4) and in the Gospel of Mark (3:18) the apostle is called Simon the Canaanite. The nickname does not refer to Canaan or the settlement of Cana, but comes from the Hebrew word qanna, which means “zealot.”
Apparently Simon belonged to the Zealots. The very fact that the nickname remained for the rest of his life testifies to the fact that the apostle had a zealous, ardent character. However, during Jesus' time on earth, the word referred to was a prominent outlawed and widely feared political party. And Simon was probably a member.
The historian Josephus wrote about the four main Jewish parties of the time. The Pharisees were picky about the Law; they were the religious fundamentalists of their time. Sadducees - religious liberals; they rejected the supernatural. The members of this group were wealthy aristocrats and powerful people. The temple was under their care. The Essenes are not mentioned at all in Scripture, however, both Josephus and Philo of Alexandria write about them as people of asceticism and rituals, people who lived in the desert and devoted themselves to the study of the Law. The fourth group is the Zealots, a more politicized community than any other except the Herodians. The Zealots hated the Romans. They sought to overthrow the Roman occupying power and achieved their goals mainly through acts of terrorism and covert acts of violence.
The Zealots adhered to extremes in everything. Like the Pharisees, they interpreted the law literally. However, unlike the Pharisees (who sought compromise in political matters), the Zealots were aggressive and violent outcasts, people outside the law. They believed that only God Himself could rule over the Jews, and therefore they were confident that they were doing God's work by attacking Roman soldiers, political leaders, and in general anyone who opposed them.
The Zealots hoped that the Messiah would lead their fight against Rome and restore the kingdom in Israel to the glory of Solomon. They were ardent patriots and were willing to die on the spot for what they believed in. Here is what Josephus wrote about them:
“The founder of the fourth philosophical school was the Galilean Judas. The adherents of this sect in all other respects are completely aligned with the teachings of the Pharisees. But they have an unbridled love of freedom. They consider the Lord God to be their only leader and ruler. They consider going to death as nothing, just as they despise death, friends and relatives, just so as not to recognize the supremacy of man over themselves. Since anyone can personally verify this with their own eyes, I do not consider it necessary to dwell on them in particular. I have nothing to fear that my words about them will not be given faith; on the contrary, my words are far from exhausting all their generosity and their readiness to undergo suffering. The people began to suffer from their mad infatuation under Hessius Florus, who was governor and brought the Jews, through abuse of their power, to revolt against the Romans.”
The uprising “under Hessius Flora,” about which Josephus writes, occurred in the 6th year AD. e., when a group of Zealots rebelled, the reason for which was the collection of a poll tax on the census established by Rome. The leader and founder of the Zealots, as Josephus writes, was Judas the Galilean, who is mentioned in the book of Acts (5:37).
The Zealots were sure that by paying tribute to the pagan king, the Jews were betraying God. This point of view was widespread among people for whom Roman taxes had become too heavy a burden. Judas the Galilean took advantage of the opportunity, gathered military forces and began to kill, rob and destroy in a frenzy. The followers of Judas the Galilean waged guerrilla warfare and committed terrorist acts against the Romans. However, the Romans soon suppressed the uprising, killed Judas the Galilean and crucified his sons.
The Zealot party went underground. Their terrorist attacks have become selective and more secretive. As described in Chapter 2, they formed a faction of secret assassins called the Sicarii (which literally means "dagger man") because members of this faction carried short daggers with a curved blade. The Sicharii tried to quietly get behind the back of a Roman soldier or political leader and stabbed him in the back between the ribs, skillfully piercing the heart.
They burned Roman military posts in Judea and then hid in the remote corners of Galilee. As Josephus wrote in the passage quoted above, their willingness to undergo any kind of suffering or death, including the same torment they inflicted on others, was widely known. The Romans could torture the Zealots, kill them, but could not extinguish their ardor.
When the Roman army under the leadership of Titus Vespasian devastated Jerusalem in the year 70 after Christ, many historians believe that the Zealots aggravated the terrible destruction of the Jews. During the siege, when the Roman army had already surrounded the city and blocked supply routes, the Zealots began to kill their own Jews, who wanted to enter into negotiations with Rome to lift the siege. The Zealots did not allow anyone who wanted to save their lives to surrender. When Titus realized how hopeless the situation was, he destroyed the city, killed thousands of inhabitants, and carried away the treasures from the Temple. The Zealots' blind hatred of Rome and everything related to Rome ultimately led to the destruction of their home city. The Zealots were driven by a reckless fanaticism that led them to self-destruction.
Josephus suggests that the name "Zealots" was misinterpreted, "as if they zealously pursued good goals, while in reality they applied all their zeal to evil deeds and in this respect surpassed themselves."
Simon was one of them. It is interesting that when listing the names of the twelve apostles, Matthew and Mark write the name of Simon before the name of Judas Iscariot. When Jesus sent out the disciples two at a time (Mark 6:7), it is likely that Simon and Judas Iscariot were together. Perhaps they both initially followed Jesus out of similar political views. However, at some stage Simon became a sincere believer and changed. Judas Iscariot never truly believed.
When Jesus did not overthrow Roman rule, but instead began to talk about death, some might have thought that Simon would become a traitor; after all, he is an ardent and zealous man, with such political convictions that led him to the terrorists. But this was the case even before meeting Jesus.
Of course, being one of the twelve chosen, Simon had to somehow communicate with Matthew, with a man who belonged to a completely different political stratum - he collected taxes for the Roman government. At some point in his life, Simon might have gladly killed Matthew. But in the end, Matthew and Simon became spiritual brothers, working side by side, striving for the same goal - to spread the Gospel and worship the same Lord.
It is simply amazing that Jesus chose a man like Simon to become an apostle. However, Simon was an extremely loyal man, possessed of amazing ardor, courage and zeal. He believed the truth and accepted Christ as his Lord. The ardent enthusiasm for Israel that had once possessed Simon now expressed itself in complete devotion to Christ.
Several sources say that after the destruction of Jerusalem, Simon took the gospel north and preached throughout the British Isles. The name of the apostle appears from the pages of biblical narratives, like the names of many others. There is no reliable information about the death of the apostle, but all legends say that he was killed for preaching the Gospel. The man who was once willing to kill and die for political beliefs that applied only to Judah found a better purpose for which he was able to give his life: to proclaim salvation to sinners from different nations, tongues and tribes.
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One of Jesus Christ's name was Simon the Canaanite. He was the son from the first marriage of Joseph, the husband of Mary the Virgin, that is, he was the half-brother of Jesus. The nickname Kananit is translated from Aramaic as “zealot.” in his writings he calls the Apostle Simon not a Canaanite, but in Greek a Zealot, which means the same thing.
The first miracle of Jesus Christ
It tells that during the wedding ceremony of his half-brother Simon, Jesus Christ performed his first miracle, namely, turning water into wine. Seeing this, the newly made groom believed in his brother Jesus Christ and became his zealous follower and disciple (apostle). In the Christian faith, Simon the Zealot is considered the patron saint of newlyweds and marriage. For 2000 years, during the Christian wedding ceremony, the priest has spoken lines from the Gospel telling about God's creation of this miracle.
Traveling around the world
According to the biblical scriptures, after the Savior ascended to heaven, the Apostle Simon the Canaanite, like all the disciples of Christ, received a divine gift that descended on him in the form of a fiery tongue. From then on, he began to preach the teachings of his brother Jesus Christ in various countries: in Judea, Edessa, Armenia, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Britain, Spain and others. This can be learned from the ancient legends of these peoples.
The news of the resurrection of Christ reaches the Black Sea coast
20 years after the resurrection of Christ, three of his apostles - Andrew the First-Called, Matthew and Simon the Zealot - went to the lands of Iveron, and then to the mountains of what is now Ossetia and Abkhazia. In the city of Sevaste (Sukhumi) their paths diverged. The Apostle Simon the Zealot settled in a cave located in a deep gorge of a mountain river, where he descended with the help of a rope, and Andrei went further along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. Each of them preached the teachings of Christ, talked about his life, about the miracles performed, about martyrdom and resurrection, and sought to convert local residents to Christianity.
New Athos
The area in which Simon the Zealot lived in those days was located in the vicinity of the modern resort of New Athos. Here the apostle, with the power bestowed upon him by heaven, performed signs and wonders, and thanks to this he was able to find followers and convert them to Christianity. In Abkhazia in those distant times, a pagan rite was in effect, according to which not only animals, but also innocent babies were brought to the sacrificial altar. Cannibalism was also common among local residents. Through the efforts of the Apostle Simon, the local residents realized how inhumane, cruel and savage these ancient customs were, and soon abandoned them. Simon the Canaanite also practiced healing and healed the sick with the power of his prayer and simple touches. This, like nothing else, instilled faith in the local population in him and his teaching. As a result of this, more and more pagans asked the Zealot to baptize them and accepted the Christian faith.
Persecution and martyrdom
The Georgian king Aderki, an ardent supporter of the pagan faith, began persecution against the apostle and his followers. As a result of this, Simon the Zealot was caught and, after much torture, brutally killed. Some accounts mention that he was crucified on a cross, while others mention that he was sawed alive with a saw. His lifeless body was buried by his disciples near the cave in which he spent the last years of his life. After this, many needy, sick and disadvantaged people came to his grave to pray for help and salvation, and the number of believers in Christ grew every day.
Temple dedicated to the Apostle Simon of Canaanite
More than 800 years later, Christian pilgrims came from the Greek city of Athos to the tomb of the apostle. They erected a white temple from local limestone next to Zealot’s grave, and the nearby settlement has since become known as New Athos. In the 11th-12th centuries, Abkhazia became a Christian state. From then on, monasteries, temples and churches began to be erected throughout Abkhazia. Later, it was attacked by the Arabs: most of the Christian churches, including Simono-Kananitsky, were destroyed, and the people, under the coercion of the Arab invaders, converted to Islam.
In the 19th century, after Abkhazia became part of the Russian Empire, Christianity began to spread again in these places and this name - Simon the Zealot - began to be mentioned more and more often. The temple, once dedicated to him, was restored, and nearby the construction of the New Athos Simon-Kananitsky monastery began, which turned into a large spiritual and educational Orthodox center on the entire Caucasian coast of the Black Sea. The cathedral of the same name, which is located in the center of the monastery complex, is a fine example of Orthodox architecture of the late 19th century. Its interior walls are painted with beautiful icons made by skilled craftsmen, and the musical chimes of the bell tower were presented to the cathedral by the Russian Emperor Alexander III.
Conclusion
Today this place, located near the city of New Athos in Abkhazia, is one of the main attractions in the Caucasus. This spiritual and historical complex also includes a cave (grotto of the Apostle Simon), in which Simon the Zealot, one of the first disciples of Jesus Christ, lived before his martyrdom. Thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to his grave for blessings and in the hope of recovery.
Saint Apostle Simon the Zealot is the patron saint of treasure hunters.
Treasure hunting, which is a favorite hobby for many of us, has been known since ancient times, when there were no metal detectors yet. A huge number of signs, beliefs and legends are associated with treasures and treasure hunting.
Despite the fact that in our time it has acquired new shades, there are things that have come to us from time immemorial and remain unshakable and traditional. Let's fast forward to the 1st century AD, to one of the most remarkable periods of world history associated with the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Christ spent the days of his adolescence and youth in Galilee, in the small town of Nazareth. But now the time has come for His ministry to the human race, and Christ goes to Judea, where he receives baptism from John, performs a forty-day fast and calls the first disciples. After this, the Lord returned to Galilee again. On the third day, the “Marriage in Canna of Galilee” took place - a wedding in a small town near Nazareth. By relationship or acquaintance, the Mother of God was present at the wedding, and Jesus and his disciples were invited.
The newlyweds were probably not rich, and a shortage of wine soon became apparent. Jesus asked the servants to fill six stone vessels standing nearby with water. “Now take some,” said the Lord, “and bring it to the master of the feast.” The steward tasted the water, which had already become wine, and was surprised why such a wonderful wine had been preserved for so long, which he did not hesitate to tell the groom about. Here it was revealed to everyone what a miracle Christ performed—the Lord’s first miracle. The disciples saw the divine power of their Teacher and believed in Him as the messenger of God. The groom named Simon also believed in Christ. He left his bride, his home and all the vanities of this world and followed Christ. As one of the most zealous disciples of Christ, Simon was elected one of the twelve apostles.
Simon had two nicknames - Canaanite and Zealot. He received the first by his origin from the Galilean city of Cana. The nickname Zealot means “zealot” - Simon was inflamed with such zealous love for Christ that he left everything for Him and followed the Lord. After the ascension of Christ, the Apostle Simon traveled through Mauritania and Africa preaching the Word of God. Then he visited Britain, Egypt and Persia. Everywhere he preached the holy Gospel with the same fiery zeal with which he left worldly vanity. Simon ended his life with suffering in the name of Christ. At the insistence of the pagan priests in Persia, the holy Apostle Simon was sawn in half. Another legend says that Simon the Zealot was crucified in Abkhazia. This happened on May 23 (May 10, old style), and on this day the Church celebrates in honor of the Apostle Simon. But what does this have to do with patronage for treasure hunters? - you ask. Go ahead!
Before the adoption of Christianity, the Eastern Slavs were pagans; they did not have one God. But not a single event of Slavic life took place without the participation of a deity or the great elements revered by the people of that time. The day of Simon the Zealot coincided with one of the very ancient pagan holidays, when the pagan deities Belee and Makosh - earthly intercessors - are especially revered, and the Magi go out into the field, lie down on the grass and listen to the Earth. On this day, she aroused special worship as Mother Raw Earth, who was considered the birthday girl on this day. Hence the second name of this holiday - Birthday Earth. On this day, the people performed “Zealot’s round dances”, and also performed consecration ceremonies, told fortunes and glorified the Earth. The consecrated handful of Earth was collected in bags and kept as amulets. The holiday ended with a feast and games.
According to ancient belief, on the Earth’s name day it was forbidden to plow or harrow it. In Tambov they reasoned: “Today is the day of Simon-Gulimon, the lazy saint.” Where they didn’t know this, they said: “Sow wheat on Simon the Zealot and it will be born like gold.” Another belief associated with this holiday says that in the spring all treasures “dry out”, will-o’-the-wisps appear and burn above them. The main custom of Simon Zealot's day has always been the search for treasures, unfortunately, at that time there were no metal detectors. People believed that there was some connection between the words Zealot and gold. Therefore, Simon the Zealot was considered by the people to be the patron saint of treasure hunters and people turned to him in prayer, asking for help in finding treasures.
Another custom is that on this day they walked through forests and meadows, collecting various herbs and roots, which were attributed with special healing powers. And the nickname Zealot supposedly comes from the word “potion”. It can be assumed that these two customs are associated with folk etymology: the incomprehensible name Zealot could well be associated in the popular imagination with the words “gold” and, as already mentioned, “potion.” I have long wanted to find a shrine for myself related to my treasure hunting hobby. And such a case actually presented itself to me! In February of this year, while in the Holy Land, I bought a small icon of the Apostle Simon the Zealot and now I hope that the saint will definitely act as a patron in finding my most cherished treasure. Of course, I bought a metal detector much earlier. Well, May 23 (May 10, Old Art.), the day of remembrance of the Apostle Simon the Zealot, I think, can rightfully be recognized as treasure hunter’s day.
to the ApostleSimonZealot especially prayabout happiness in marriage andpatronage of the family hearth.
Troparion, tone 3
Apostle Saint Simon, pray to the Merciful God that He may grant remission of sins to our souls.
Kontakion, tone 2
It is known by the wisdom of the teaching in the souls of the pious that we will please all Simon in praise, like the God-speaking One: For now he stands before the Throne of Glory and rejoices with the Bodiless, praying unceasingly for all of us.
Kontakion 1
Chosen Apostle of Christ and evangelist, through the midst of your preaching, who caught the salvation of many human souls and brought darkened people to Christ through idolatry, Blessed Simon, in songs we praise you with love and pray to you diligently: for you have boldness in the Lord, praying to Him for our sinners and with your prayers free us from all troubles, so we call to you:
Ikos 1
The Creator and Master of angels, Christ God, saved even fallen humanity, having clothed ourselves in our flesh and living with men, but came to Cana of Galilee for marriage in your house, Simon the Most Praiseworthy, together with His Most Pure Matter, the Virgin Theotokos, Who, through the entreaty of our mother, was the firstfruits of miracles. Show Yours in your house, miraculously transforming water into wine on your brother and thereby showing the power of Your Divinity. The same to you, blessed with the visit and favor of the God-man, as the Seer of God and His chosen disciple, we cry out to the Lord with tenderness:
Rejoice, beautiful bridegroom, miraculously called from earthly marriage to the marriage of the Lamb.
Rejoice, glorified in heaven and on earth.
Rejoice, thou who faithfully served the incarnate Word of God.
Rejoice, in preaching the Gospel of truth, great zeal was revealed.
Rejoice, thou who loved the Most Sweet Lord Jesus with all thy heart.
Rejoice, thou who left the earthly betrothed and followed Him.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 2
Having seen the miracles of Christ, the most glorious Simone, you faithfully followed God who appeared in the flesh, you were loved from the Unworthy and you were numbered among the chosen twelve Apostles, like a zealot of His glory, you received a new name Zealot, who is a zealot. Ask for this zeal for the glory of God for us, disciples of the Saviors, so that together with you we may be worthy to sing to Christ: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
The heavenly mind was given to you from above, Simon the God-Wise, also listening to the Divine word of Christ God, I formed it in your heart, and, like the good earth, you brought Him a hundredfold fruit of the teachings of the Gospel grace, with it you illuminated the ends of the world for the salvation, and, like a preacher of God soul-saving one, hear songs like these from us:
Rejoice, O yoke of Christ, good and easy, upon your frame.
Rejoice, by the example of your saints attract all of us to follow Christ.
Rejoice, you who are the same-named zealot for the glory of God.
Rejoice, dearest lover of the Lord Jesus.
Rejoice, wondrous teacher to Him of those who seek salvation.
Rejoice, silent evangelist of the Gospel's soul-saving teaching.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 3
The power of God's autumn upon you, Apostle of Christ Simon, when you walked in the footsteps of Christ the Lord, walking with Him through Judea and Galilee, listening to His Divine teaching and contemplating the greatness of His miracles. Likewise, Christ, as His faithful follower and disciple, granted you the power and strength to heal ailments, heal illnesses and drive away unclean spirits, so that everyone glorify His power, revealed in you, and sing a song of praise to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
You had only one concern, O all-blessed Simone, to faithfully serve and please Christ God, appearing in the flesh for human salvation, His companion and self-seeing witness, you were honored to be, and from His Divine lips you drew grace from the great teachings of heaven, and marveling at it, we say to you:
Rejoice, all-joyful preacher of the Gospel of truth to us.
Rejoice, Lucifer, who announced to us the non-evening Sun.
Rejoice, self-seeing and servant of God incarnate.
Rejoice, O Master of His wanderings and His immortal table.
Rejoice, chosen and faithful disciple of Christ.
Rejoice, His friend, who has preserved your friendship towards Him to the end.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 4
The storm of Jewish rage nailed Christ God to the Cross, who willed to suffer for all people, but did not shake your faith and hope, Blessed Simon, for He is the Savior of the world, prophesied of old by the prophets for the redemption of fallen humanity. Moreover, as the Master and God, you faithfully sang a song of praise to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
Hearing the Divine voice of Christ the Giver of Life, who rose from the dead for three days, and who entered to His disciples through the closed door, and “Peace be with you!” You rejoiced greatly, O God-bearing Simone, and you reverently worshiped Him as God, and then you silently proclaimed to everyone the immutable truth of His resurrection. For this reason we call upon you in praise:
Rejoice, the world of Christ has been worthily received into the immaculate vessel of your soul.
Rejoice, you who have pacified the ends of the world with grace.
Rejoice, ancient enmity idolatrous consumer.
Rejoice, the truth of the resurrection of Christ is obvious and loud to the witness.
Rejoice, the door closed to the contemplator of the wondrous passing of Christ.
Rejoice, hearer of His most divine and joyful voice.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 5
Having seen the divine ascension of Christ into heaven and the Holy Spirit, sent down from Him in fiery tongues, you became a partaker of Simon the Most Praiseworthy, a divine spirit-bearer and, endued with power from above, you flowed to preach the Gospel in Judea, Syria, Egypt, Mauritania, Spain, Britain , Persia, Iberia and Armenia, proclaiming to people in the darkness of unbelief the saving light of Christ God and the right faith in Him, and bringing everyone to call Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Having seen you, Apostle of Christ, Most Pure Mother of God, from distant countries on a cloud, having arrived at Her most honorable dormition, she rejoiced with holy joy and vouchsafed you with His conversation and blessing before death; You were filled with so much joy, contemplating Her Son and God, who came to Her with the holy Angels and received Her holy soul in His hands. We too, reverently remembering this, and out of zealous love, proclaim these all-joyful verbs:
Rejoice, heavenly disciple of the Savior, miraculously brought to the burial of the Mother of the Lord on a cloud.
Rejoice, O Christ, who received and contemplated the soul of His Mother in His hands.
Rejoice, having served worthily at the burial of the Most Pure Mother of God.
Rejoice, you who understood the Mother of God who was lifted up with the body of the Mount.
Rejoice, you who saw Her burial shrouds and empty tomb in Gethsemane.
Rejoice, in a luminous vision with the saints the Angels were honored to see the coming Lady of the world.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 6
The God-speaking preacher appeared, Apostle of Christ Simon, in wild countries, and you proclaimed the Gospel of Christ to beastly people, by your meekness and gentleness overcoming those cruelties and transforming them from divi wolves into lambs of Christ, likewise, and having learned from you to sing to the Triune God the angelic song: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You, disciple of the Savior, have shone like a radiant lamp in infidel countries and, like a godly light, you have flowed around the east and west, proclaiming to people the saving faith in Christ Jesus, who inspires us to praise you, the divine preacher, with these praises:
Rejoice, you who enlighten the east and the west with the light of Christ.
Rejoice, having proclaimed the teachings of the Gospel across Africa and Spain.
Rejoice, thou who has tamed the severity of the British with the meekness of Jesus.
Rejoice, having led Armenia and Iberia to the knowledge of the Son of God.
Rejoice, you who convinced the Persians and the Medes to believe in Christ God.
Rejoice, you who worked tirelessly in the gospel of Christ.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 7
You had a zealous desire, O Apostle of Christ, to suffer as a martyr for the name of Christ and with your blood to seal the divine truth of your preaching of the Gospel, which the Lord arranged to bring you in Iberia from unfaithful manholes to be crucified on the cross and die a martyr. We remember your suffering and Christ-like death, we honor your illnesses and labors and sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
New Noah, the head of the ark of the soul-saving faith of Christ in Iberia, we know you to be, Simone of God, and as the founder and cornerstone of the Church of Iberia we honor you, and the place of your burial with love we honor, as sanctified by your blood and the repose of your relics, from him the healing gifts you exude to the faithful and attract you to call:
Rejoice, everlasting guardian of Iberia.
Rejoice, God-given patron of Pitsunda.
Rejoice, your temple in the desert was miraculously preserved from final destruction.
Rejoice, your honorable coffin given to us as a consolation.
Rejoice, having renovated the place of your exploits and sufferings with a monastic monastery in your name.
Rejoice, ascetics of fasting and prayer from Saint Athos, who marvelously moved in the nude.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 8
Having completed your earthly journey, Apostle of the Savior, you moved from earth to the heavenly abode, but on the earth you shine with rays of miracles and enlighten the souls of the faithful, who through God come to you in prayer and honor your holy memory, and we, too, reverently, sing a song to God who glorified you : Alleluia.
Ikos 8
The entire Iveron Church reveres you, Apostle Simone, as its founder and patron, who edified you on the unshakable foundation of the faith of Christ and watered you for spiritual fruitfulness with your honest blood, from the wonder that the host of saints who are now triumphant together with you in heaven vegetated in it. Likewise, we, on earth, bless your deeds and call to you:
Rejoice, good and merciful consoler of the sorrowing.
Rejoice, quickly presenting helper to those in need.
Rejoice, you who have acquired great boldness towards Christ God, as His sincere friend.
Rejoice, you who have received from Him power over unclean spirits.
Rejoice, glory and praise to your holy monastery.
Rejoice, for those who labor in her as intercessors for eternal salvation.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 9
Judge the whole world imashi, Apostle of the Savior, seated on the high and exalted throne, when Christ the Lord comes with glory to execute His righteous judgment; Then, holy one, beg His goodness to have mercy on us and not condemn us to eternal destruction, but to make us worthy to sing to Him with the saints: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
Human flair is not sufficient for the worthy glorification of your exploits and miracles, Simone, the most praiseworthy, in both cases, accept, disciple of the Savior, graciously and mercifully these little and simple songs of ours, offered in praise to you with faith and love, and hear those crying out to you:
Rejoice, praised and glorified from east to west.
Rejoice, thou who sanctified the Iveron country by thy death.
Rejoice, as a fruitful vine, in which Nina, Equal to the Apostles, grew spiritually.
Rejoice, you who brought fruit to Christ from the bosom of the host of saints.
Rejoice, thou who glorified the mountains and its valleys as ascetics of piety.
Rejoice, as a father of children, triumphant with the saints of Iveron in the abodes of paradise.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 10
The guarantee of salvation, the holy Orthodox faith, inherited from you, Apostle of Christ Simon, we also pray to you: keep us, your children, from all heresies and schisms, by your prayerful intercession to God, and help us to remain in unshakable Orthodoxy until the end of our days and sing faithfully To God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
The chosen disciple of the Heavenly King Christ, Blessed Simon, pray to Him for us sinners, so that your God-loving zeal for the preservation of His law may be granted to us, unworthy, so that we may be ready for deeds of Christian good deeds and for the confession of our Orthodox faith, not just words, but and deeds, and appear as your children, not only by name, but by the truth itself. For this we pray and call you:
Rejoice, bright star, guiding everyone to the sun of Christ’s truth.
Rejoice, unquenchable light, ever burning in prayer at the Throne of the Lord of Glory.
Rejoice, unshakable pillar of the holy Church of Christ.
Rejoice, golden vial, pour out healing streams for us.
Rejoice, having received from Christ the power to knit and decide.
Rejoice, having received from Him the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 11
Bring the singing of the Most Holy Trinity to the mountain with all the saints, Simone, the most praiseworthy, and from the heavenly heights of your father you come to the place of your exploits and sufferings on earth, with your prayers helping all who faithfully honor your holy memory and sing a song to God about you: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
The light-giving lamp of the Trisolar Light appears to the faithful, Apostle of Christ Simon, and invisibly illuminates all of us on the path of Christian good deeds, so that we may not fall into the snare of the enemy, the devil, but may remain unharmed from all his wicked traps and thus be able to cry out to you without condemnation:
Rejoice, good shepherd of the verbal flock of Christ.
Rejoice, do not allow the soul-destroying wolf to plunder your spiritual flock.
Rejoice, thou who through the midst of thy preaching caught the ends of the world unto salvation.
Rejoice, and now contribute to our salvation through your prayers.
Rejoice, wise architect of the Church of Christ.
Rejoice, the cornerstone of its foundation.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 12
Ask us for grace and mercy from the Lord, Simon the God-bearing Apostle of the Savior, as you have acquired great boldness towards Him, especially ask us from Him for repentance for sins and correction of our life, so that it will be filled with Christian virtues, so that we may still be able to sing on earth A heavenly song to our Creator: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
Singing your illnesses and labors, Apostle of the Savior, in the image in which you labored in the gospel of Christ, we honor your holy and ever-glorious memory, which fragrant us spiritually and delights our souls: for the ointment has truly appeared before God, the sweat of yours and the drops of blood of suffering, poured out by you for Christ, our holy representative. That’s why we call you:
Rejoice, faithful preacher of the Most Holy Life-Giving Trinity.
Rejoice, worthy interlocutor of the angelic faces.
Rejoice, beauty and foundation of the Apostles.
Rejoice, exaltation of the human race.
Rejoice, free physician of mental and physical ailments.
Rejoice, our unshameable hope is in God and the Most Holy Theotokos.
Rejoice, Simon, Apostle of Christ and prayer book for our souls.
Kontakion 13
O holy, glorious and all-praised Apostle of Christ Simon, zealot of the law of God and our most powerful representative! Accept this small prayer song offered to you in praise, and beg the Savior Christ to deliver us from eternal torment and make us worthy of the joy of the saints, so that with them we may sing to Him forever: Alleluia.
(ThisToondak is read three times, hthenAndbraid 1 andToondak 1) .
Prayer
Holy glorious and all-praised Apostle of Christ Simon, who was deemed worthy to receive into your home in Cana of Galilee our Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, our Lady Theotokos, and to be an eyewitness to the glorious miracle of Christ revealed to your brother - the transformation of water into wine! We pray to you with faith and love: beg Christ the Lord to transform our souls from sin-loving to God-loving; save and protect us with your prayers from the temptations of the devil and the falls of sin and ask us from above for help during our despondency and helplessness, so that we may not stumble over the stone of temptation, but steadily walk the saving path of the commandments of Christ, until we reach those blessed abode of paradise, where you now reside and have fun. Hey, Apostle Spasov! Do not disgrace us, who firmly trust in you, but be your helper and protector in all our lives and help us end this temporary life in a pious and godly manner, receive a good and peaceful Christian death and be honored with a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ, so that we escape the ordeals of the air and the power of the fierce ruler of the world, we will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and glorify the magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
