Mor Shem`un of Qartmin (+433)

Mor Shem`un of Qartmin (+433)

October 2nd is the commemoration of the dukhrono of St. Simon of Qartmin +433 according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Shem'un Qartminoyo was one of the Qartmin Fathers along with his teacher Mor Shmuel +409. They built Qartmin Dayro in Tur Abdin Turkey. Currently known as St. Gabriel Monastery (Dayro d-Mor Gabriel/Deyrulmur); it is the oldest functioning Christian monastery in the world. According to tradition Mor Shem'un had a dream in which an angel of the Lord commanded him to build a House of Prayer in a location marked with three large stone blocks. When Simon awoke, he took his teacher Mor Shmuel to the place & found the stone the angel had placed. At this spot the Qartmin Monastery was built. Simon was born in Qartmin village. His father was a leader of the village. When he was 4 years old, he was healed through the prayers of Mor Shmuel. Later, his father took him back to the saint & he was ordained a monk & joined Samuel. One night, the angel of the Lord appeared to Simon in the form of his teacher Mor Shmuel & showed him the plan of the future monastery which was laid down on the foundations of an existing pagan temple. The angel & Simon together placed stones across the perimeter of what was to become them monastery. Simon did not realize it was actually an angel & not his teacher. The next day Mor Shmuel was astonished when he was told of what transpired, but he understood it was an angel. Together the two Qartmin fathers would build the monastery starting in 396/397AD. In time, the number of monks who joined their ranks increased. After the death of the aged Mor Shmuel, Simon took over the administration of the monastery. Mor Shem'un did not sleep on the earth. He rested on his knees. He loved night vigils & in order to defeat sleep he hung himself upright by ropes. He would then continue in his meditation giving glory & praise to his Lord. Mor Shem'un was strong in battle with Satan. He was awake in his service. He served more than his brother monks. Our Lord gave him power, strength & he performed many wonders & miracles. Mor Shem'un would repose in the Lord on January 19th 433AD. He was entombed in the Beth Qadishe of Dayro d-Mor Gabriel. Biography courtesy of, 'Martyrs, Saints and Prelates of the Syriac Orthodox Church' Oh Mor Shem'un Qartminoyo! Plead for us before God's throne of grace. Amen. http://www.soc-wus.org/ourchurch/St.%20Shemoun.htm Life of Mor Shem'un: http://bit.ly/SimonQartmin Mor Gabriel Monastery founded by the Qartmin Fathers http://www.morgabriel.org/history.html RSoH