Saint Simeon the God-Receiver

Life

In the time of the Egyptian king Ptolemy Philadelphus this Simeon was chosen as one of the renowned Seventy, to whom was entrusted the work of translating the Bible from Hebrew into Greek. Simeon did his work conscientiously, but when he was translating the prophet Isaiah, and came to that prophecy: behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, he became confused, and took a knife to erase the word virgin and replace it with the words "young woman", and to translate it thus into Greek. But at that moment God's angel appeared to Simeon and restrained him from his intention, explaining to him that the prophecy was true, and that it was accurately written. And that it is true and accurate, the messenger of God told him further, he will be convinced personally himself, for by God's will he will not die until he sees the Messiah born of a virgin. The righteous Simeon rejoiced at such a voice from heaven, left the prophecy unchanged, and thanked God that He deemed him worthy to live to see the Promised One. When the Infant Jesus was brought by the Virgin Mary to the Jerusalem temple, God's Spirit revealed this to Simeon, who was very old and white as a swan. Simeon quickly went to the temple and in the temple recognized both the Virgin and the Infant by the light that shone around their heads like a halo. The joyful elder took Christ in his arms and entreated God: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation" (Luke 2:29-30). There also happened to be Anna the prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, who herself also recognized the Messiah and proclaimed Him to the people. Anna was then eighty-four years old. Soon after this Saint Simeon departed. This righteous elder Simeon is considered the protector of small children.

From the Hymn of Praise

### Prayer for a Little Child