Sts. Simon and Jude
Feast day: October 28
Sts. Simon and Jude are listed among the Twelve Apostles in the New Testament. Known as “the Zealot” because of his strict adherence to Jewish law, Simon was one of the first disciples of Jesus. According to the tradition in the West, he preached in Egypt and Mesopotamia, then traveled on to Persia. Jude, also known as Jude Thaddeus, was believed to be the brother of James the Less. Tradition and legend, most notably expressed in the Passion of Simon and Jude, state that Jude went to Persia to preach with Simon, where they were both martyred. St. Simon is patron of tanners and lumberjacks. St. Jude is patron of hopeless causes.
Collect
O God, who by the blessed Apostles
have brought us to acknowledge your name,
graciously grant,
through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude,
that the Church may constantly grow
by increase of the peoples who believe in you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
