Holy Apostle and Hieromartyr Symeon, Kinsman of the Lord (107)

The Apostle and Hieromartyr Symeon, kinsman of the Lord according to the flesh (+107), was the son of Cleopas, the younger brother of Saint Joseph the Betrothed. He saw the miracles of the Lord, believed in Him, and became one of the Seventy apostles. Saint Symeon preached the teaching of Christ and denounced idol-worship. After the killing of the holy Apostle James (+63; commemorated 23 October) the Christians chose him Bishop of Jerusalem. In the reign of the Emperor Trajan (98–117) the Roman governor Atticus was told that Saint Symeon was of the tribe of King David (the Romans were destroying the descendants of King David) and confessed the faith of Christ. The pagans seized the holy bishop, who was nearly a hundred years old, and after long torture crucified him.