Orthodox icon of Saint Simeon the God Receiver, Symeon,
Commemorated February 3.
In this Orthodox icon He is show holding the infant Jesus. Saint Simeon the God-Receiver was a just and devout man. God promised him that he would not die until the promised Messiah, Christ the Lord, came into the world. When St Simeon saw their arrival in the temple when Jesus was brought for the traditional 40 day blessing, the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that the baby held by the Virgin Mary was the Promised Messiah, the Savior of the world.
The Elder Simeon took the Child in his arms and said, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel (Luke 2:29-32). Simeon blessed the All-Pure Virgin and St Joseph, and turning to the Mother of God he said, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against. Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed (Luke 2:34-35). The holy righteous Simeon the God-Receiver died at a very old age (Tradition says he was 360). His holy relics were transferred to Constantinople in the sixth century.
