VI. SIMEON, or Simon, Cousin-german to Jesus Christ, Bishop of Jerusalem, Son of Cleophas and of Mary Sister of the holy Virgin; probably the same that St. Mark speaks of, by the Name of Simon. It is very likely that Simeon was one of the first Disciples of Jesus Christ1, and that he began early to follow him. Epiphanius Epiphan. Hæref. 78. c. 14.says, that when the Jews massacred Saint James minor, his Brother St. Simeon reproach’d them with this Piece of Cruelty. After the Death of St. James, in the Year 62, of the common Era, the Apostles, the Disciples, and the Kindred of Jesus Christ assembled together, to appoint him a Successor Euseb.hist. Eccl. l. 3. c. 32.in the See of Jerusalem, and with unanimous Consent they elected St. Simeon to supply his Place. Probably he withdrew with the rest of the Faithful to Pella beyond Jordan, during the three Years of the War of the Jews against the Romans. After the Destruction of Jerusalem, they return’d into this City,2 and the Church of Christ appear’d there with new Splendor, by the great Number of Miracles that God work’d by their Means. When the Emperor Trajan made strict Enquiry for all those that were of the Race of David, St. Simeon was accused Euseb.hist. Eccl. l. 3. c. 32.before Atticus the Governor of Palestine. He endured several Tortures for many Days together, to the great Astonishment of every Body, and particularly of Atticus himself; for he was then one hundred and twenty Years of Age. At last he was crucify’d, Euseb. Chronic.about the 107th Year of the vulgar Era. He had govern’d the Church of Jerusalem about three and forty Years. The Latins place his Feast on the 18th of February, and the Greeks on the 27th of April. He had St. Justus for his Successor to the Bishoprick of Jerusalem. See M. Tillemont, Hist. Eccl. t. 2. p. 202, &c.
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