St. Simon Al-Zaytuni (+734)

St. Simon Al-Zaytuni (+734)

June 1st is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Simon Al-Zaytuni +734 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Shem'un d'Zayte the son of Mundhir, was a native of Habsnas in Tur'Abdin,Turkey. He undertook religious studies & eventually became a monk at Dayro d’Mor Gabriel (Qartmin Monastery) around 657AD. In 682AD, he was ordained a priest & was appointed the Abbot of Dayro d’Mor Gabriel. St. Simon is credited with building many churches & monasteries in Tur’abdin. He carried out different projects, using a valuable treasure he found hidden in a cave. He planted 12,000 olive trees that eventually met the demand for oil of all the churches & monasteries of Tur’abdin. This earned him the nickname Al-Zaytuni (the Man of Olives). As he was on good terms with the Muslim governor of Nisbis, he could restore some churches there. In addition, he built a mosque & school for the Muslim population of the city. He also made arrangements for copying manuscripts. At the time of his death there were 180 copies of manuscripts in the library of the monastery. In A.D. 700, St. Simon was elected Metropolitan of Harran, a city about twenty miles to the south of Edessa (modern Urfa), & became known as one of the greatest prelates at the time in the Syriac Church. After his consecration, he established a school in his home village, Habsnas. In 726AD he attended the council of Manazgird. In addition to his asceticism, piety & godliness, he was a man of learning. He wrote many books in defense of the faith of the Syriac Orthodox Church, especially against the Melkites (Chalcedonians). Mor Shem'un d'Zayte entered eternal sleep on 1st June 734AD. Biography courtesy, "Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church" Oh Mor Shem'un d'Zayte! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. May the churches and monasteries of Tur'Abdin once again overflow with the blessed oil from your fields. Amen. http://www.soc-wus.org/ourchurch/St.%20Shamoun%20d'Zayte.htm