Saint Simeon of Seleucia

Saint Simeon of Seleucia is also known as Simeon Barsabbae or Simeon Bar Sabbae. He was a bishop and a martyr. He lived in the fourth century and served the Church in Persia. He is known for staying faithful to Jesus during a time of persecution.

Simeon was the bishop of Seleucia-Ctesiphon. This was a large city in the Persian Empire. It was also the capital of the region. He led the Christian community there during a hard time. The Church in Persia was under pressure from the rulers.

The Persian king, Shapur II, did not trust Christians. Rome and Persia were enemies. Because the Church in Persia had ties to Rome, Christians were seen as a threat. Many were arrested, and some were killed.

Simeon did not hide his faith. He refused to worship the Persian gods. He also would not collect extra taxes from Christians to help the Persian army. For this, he was arrested. Later, he was put to death for his faith.

He is remembered for standing firm. He would not deny Christ. He stayed strong until the end. The Church honors him as a martyr and saint.

Not much is known about Simeon’s early life. He was born in the Persian Empire. He grew up during a time when Christianity was still new in that region. Most people around him were Zoroastrians, who followed the old Persian religion.

Simeon was raised in the Christian faith. It is likely that his family was part of a small Christian community. These early Christians lived quietly. They often faced suspicion and pressure from the local leaders.

Simeon studied the faith deeply. He learned Scripture and how to serve the Church. Over time, he was ordained a priest. He showed great wisdom and care for the people.

Later, he was made a bishop. He was chosen to lead the Church in Seleucia-Ctesiphon. This was an important role. It meant guiding the Church through hard times.

He was known for his strong faith and calm leadership. He cared for both rich and poor. He prayed often and served the people well. His early years helped prepare him for what was to come.

The Persian Empire was large and strong. Its rulers followed the Zoroastrian religion. They believed in worshipping fire and light. Christians did not take part in these things.

Shapur II was the king during Simeon’s time. He wanted all people in the empire to follow the Persian ways. He was also at war with the Roman Empire. Because Rome had become Christian, Shapur did not trust the Christians in his own land.

He saw Christians as friends of Rome. He thought they might help the enemy. So he made laws against the Church. He raised taxes on Christians and forced them to take part in pagan worship.

Simeon refused to follow these laws. He would not take money from his people to support the king’s army. He would not bow to the fire or worship the sun. He said he would only serve Jesus.

This made the king angry. Many bishops, priests, and faithful Christians were arrested. The Church in Persia was suffering. But many stayed strong in their faith, even when facing death.

Simeon was arrested with many others. He was brought before the king. The king tried to make him bow to the fire, but Simeon refused. He said he would never deny Christ.

Along with Simeon were many other Christians. There were priests, deacons, monks, and even lay people. They were all given the same choice: worship the Persian gods or die.

Simeon stayed firm. He encouraged the others to do the same. They were put in prison and suffered for many days. Still, they would not give in.

On Good Friday, around the year 341, Simeon and more than one hundred others were killed. They were beheaded for their faith. Among them were priests Abdecalas and Ananias, and a man named Usthazanes, who had once worked for the king.

Their courage gave strength to the Church. Many Christians looked to them as examples. Even though they died, their witness lived on.

After his death, the Church honored Simeon as a martyr. Stories of his courage spread across the Christian world. He was remembered not just in Persia, but also in the Roman Empire and beyond.

The early Church did not have formal canonization like today. But the faithful began to honor Simeon right away. Churches remembered his name in prayer. His story was written down and shared.

His feast day is April 17. This is the day when many Christians remember his martyrdom. He is honored in both the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Churches. He is also remembered with other Persian martyrs who died in that time.

Simeon is a patron of people who suffer for their faith. He reminds us to stay true to Christ, even when it is hard. His life shows that faith is not just about words but about choices we make, even when it costs us everything.

His memory is still alive today. In a world that still sees persecution, Simeon’s witness gives hope. He is a saint who stood tall, even when the world wanted him to fall.