Simon the Zealot – aka Simeon or Kananaios, or Kananites or even Simon – another brother of Jesus?

Lives and death of the Apostles after the Last Supper – post 3

Simon the Zealot is a most difficult disciple to trace the history of,  as he appears to have travelled under various names – or perhaps just been confused with many other people?

Names suggested include:- an attempt  to distinguish him from Simon Peter, by calling him Kananaios, or Kananites,  or he may be the same person as the Simeon of Jerusalem who became the second bishop of Jerusalem, or Simon the brother of Jesus (or cousin? see Jude),

Simon has the identifying attribute of a saw because according to legend, he was put to death by a saw – but where and when is unlikely to ever be resolved – with so many alternative identities he also has a selection of potential places and methods for dying.

His ministries included  Egypt, then Simon joined Jude in Persia and Armenia and/or Beirut, Lebanon, and some claim that he was martyred with Jude  in 65 AD.

Alternatively he may have suffered crucifixion as the Simeon of Jerusalem, Bishop of Jerusalem.

Another tradition states that he travelled in the Middle East and Africa and Christian Ethiopians claim that he was crucified in Samaria!

However, Moses of Chorene writes that he was martyred at Weriosphora in Caucasian Iberia.

Another tradition claims he died peacefully at Edessa.

Apparently he even got across the channel to Britain — possibly visiting Glastonbury and was martyred in Caistor, in Lincolnshire.

There is also story that  he was involved in a Jewish revolt against the Romans, which was brutally suppressed.

Justus Lipsius finally brings in the saw – which is his attribute as it relates to the way he died.

In his writing he claims that Simon was sawn in half at Suanir, Persia and my guess that as this is his attribute it might be the most likely – but I must comment that the non-Christians certainly thought up some fearful ways to rid themselves of these troublesome preachers .