Orthodox Calendar, May 10
Apostle Simon the Zealot
Saint Simon, originally from Cana in Galilee, was acquainted with the Lord and His Mother. Tradition holds that he was the bridegroom at the wedding where Jesus performed His first miracle, turning water into wine. Witnessing this miracle, he became a fervent follower of Christ and earned the title Saint Simon the Zealot.
As one of the twelve Apostles, Saint Simon received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost along with the others. He embarked on extensive travels, spreading the Gospel from Britain to the Black Sea, converting many pagans to Christianity. Ultimately, Saint Simon met martyrdom through crucifixion.
Saint Demetrius of Rostov distinguishes this Saint Simon from both the Apostle Simon Peter and the Lord’s relative Simon (mentioned in Matthew 13:55), who served as the second Bishop of Jerusalem.
Saint Simon is also commemorated on June 30 along with the other Apostles.
Troparion
Holy Apostle Simon entreat the merciful God to grant our souls forgiveness of transgressions.
St. Calistrat of Timișeni and Vasiova
Venerable Calistrat of Timișeni and Vasiova was born in 1900 and lived until 1975.
He was a renowned missionary priest in Banat. He was originally from Burdujeni, Suceava (Romania), and embraced the monastic life at Sihăstria Monastery.
In 1942, he was sent as a missionary priest to Banat, where he founded Timișeni Monastery and renewed the monastic life at Săraca Monastery, Partoș Monastery and Vasiova Monastery.
For 33 years, Fr Calistrat was a light and a true model of monastic life for the monks and faithful of the Banat region in western Romania, living in prayer and great humility. Because of the gentleness of his heart, he received from God the gift of healing and of casting out unclean spirits.
He surrendered his pure soul into the hands of the Lord on Pascha Day in 1975.
