Collections of SaintsOne of the Twelve with a nickname associated with zeal. Few details of his individual life survive in the New Testament.
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Luke 6:15 names Simon called the Zealot among the Twelve. Mark uses Cananaean. The sources give no individual scene of when he first left his former life.
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Benedict XVI explains the two nicknames as expressions of zeal. His catechesis does not establish Simon’s membership in the Zealot movement. The disciples’ differing backgrounds meet in their relationship with Jesus.
The Holy SeeRead in context ↓
Acts 1:13 again names Simon the Zealot after the Ascension. It supplies no individual speech or itinerary. Reading Simon’s story also means accepting the limits of the record for one of the Twelve.
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A Vatican devotional account associates Simon and Jude Thaddaeus with Mesopotamia and Persia. This is a venerated mission tradition, not an itinerary with every stop securely established.
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Simon is venerated as a martyr, but traditions give differing details of place and manner of death. This website does not select a particular death instrument or year as established fact. Relics attributed to him are reported with Jude Thaddaeus at Saint Peter’s.
Vatican NewsDicastery for the Eastern ChurchesRead in context ↓Luke 6:15 names Simon called the Zealot among the Twelve. Mark uses Cananaean. The sources give no individual scene of when he first left his former life.
USCCBUSCCBBenedict XVI explains the two nicknames as expressions of zeal. His catechesis does not establish Simon’s membership in the Zealot movement. The disciples’ differing backgrounds meet in their relationship with Jesus.
The Holy SeeActs 1:13 again names Simon the Zealot after the Ascension. It supplies no individual speech or itinerary. Reading Simon’s story also means accepting the limits of the record for one of the Twelve.
USCCBA Vatican devotional account associates Simon and Jude Thaddaeus with Mesopotamia and Persia. This is a venerated mission tradition, not an itinerary with every stop securely established.
Vatican NewsSimon is venerated as a martyr, but traditions give differing details of place and manner of death. This website does not select a particular death instrument or year as established fact. Relics attributed to him are reported with Jude Thaddaeus at Saint Peter’s.
Vatican NewsDicastery for the Eastern ChurchesThe nickname Zealot does not prove membership in a particular political organisation. He differs from Simon Peter and Simon the magician in Acts 8. Death traditions vary, so popular details are not asserted as certain.
These attributions follow site custodians, not biological testing of identity. The locations are a selection, not an inventory of all fragments.
The Altar of Saint Joseph in Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. The Dicastery for the Eastern Churches’ guide associates this altar’s location with relics of Simon and Jude Thaddaeus; the photograph shows the altar.
Fallaner · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo source · 25 September 2020 · Resized and converted to WebP.The Dicastery for the Eastern Churches places Simon and Jude’s relics beneath the altar of Saint Joseph the Worker in Saint Peter’s left transept. The two are venerated together. Jude Thaddaeus is distinct from Judas Iscariot; this is not Judas Iscariot’s grave.
Dicastery for the Eastern ChurchesSources checked: 2 October 2026
View place →Sources checked: 2 October 2026
Artistic illustrationAn apostle traditionally connected with Thaddaeus and Judas son of James. He must be distinguished from Judas Iscariot.
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Artistic illustrationAmong the Twelve chosen by Jesus, later handing him over to those arresting him. His story is read without confusing him with Jude Thaddaeus or judging his eternal fate.
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Artistic illustrationA follower chosen after the Ascension to replace Judas Iscariot. He completes the story of the Twelve without being counted among the original twelve selections.
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