St Simeon the God-receiver
Simeon was one of seventy elders who were commissioned by Ptolemy to translate the Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek in 296. Saint Simeon was translating a book of the Prophet Isaiah, and read the words: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive in the womb, and shall bring forth a Son” (Is 7:14). He thought that “virgin” was inaccurate, and he wanted to correct the text to read “woman.” At that moment an angel appeared to him and held back his hand saying, “You shall see these words fulfilled. You shall not die until you behold Christ the Lord born of a pure and spotless Virgin.” From that day, Saint Simeon lived in expectation of the Promised Messiah. One day, the righteous Elder received a revelation from the Holy Spirit, and came to the Temple. It was on the very day (the fortieth after the Birth of Christ) when the St Mary and St Joseph had come to the Temple in order to perform the ritual prescribed by Jewish Law. When Saint Simeon beheld their arrival, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that the divine Child held by the All-Pure Virgin Mary was the Promised Messiah, the Saviour of the world. The holy St Simeon died that very day in peace at a great age.
Quote:
“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” – Luke 2:29
Fun fact:
Tradition holds that St Simeon ended up living until he was 360 years old and died on the very same day that Jesus was presented to the temple.