ST. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN (OCT. 12TH)

A Contemporary Icon of St. Symeon the New Theologian

Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West) 

On this day, the Western Orthodox Church honors the memory of St. Symeon the New Theologian (Συμεὼν ὁ Νέος Θεολόγος), who is venerated as one of the Church's greatest mystics and teachers. Born in Galatia, Paphlagonia in AD 949, St. Symeon grew up in the sophisticated environment of a noble family. While his early life was marked by preparation for a prominent career in the imperial court, his heart was drawn toward the ascetic and contemplative life.

At the age of 14, he encountered Elder Symeon the Pious, a spiritual father at the Studite Monastery in Constantinople. This meeting had a profound impact on him, leading to a radical shift in his priorities. Forsaking the privileges of his upbringing, Symeon sought a life of monastic discipline and divine contemplation. He became a monk at the Monastery of St. Theodore the Studite, dedicating himself to prayer and fasting.

While at the Studite Monastery, St. Symeon experienced profound spiritual visions, including one where he was enveloped by an all-encompassing divine light. In this mystical encounter, he was lifted beyond earthly senses into an overwhelming awareness of God's presence. Such experiences shaped his theological writings, where he passionately taught that even in this temporal life, believers could attain direct communion with God through intense prayer and the grace of the sacraments.

St. Symeon Illuminated by the Teachings of His Teacher

In his later years, St. Symeon was appointed abbot of the Monastery of St. Mamas in Constantinople. He faithfully served in this role for 25 years, restoring the monastery to spiritual and physical health. However, his strict adherence to ascetic discipline led to tensions within the community, with some monks even attempting to kill him. Despite this, St. Symeon responded to his adversaries with forgiveness and compassion, seeking their reconciliation rather than punishment.

After stepping down as abbot around AD 1005, St. Symeon retired to a life of quietude near the Monastery of St. Mamas, where he devoted himself to writing. His works, later included in the “Philokalia”, reveal his deep insight into the spiritual life, focusing on the purification of the heart and the vision of God's uncreated light. Though controversial in his time, his teachings have since been embraced by the Church as profound expressions of Christian mysticism.

St. Symeon reposed in the Lord on March 12, AD 1022, though his feast is celebrated on October 12. He holds a special place in the Church, being one of only three saints to bear the title "Theologian," along with Sts. John the Evangelist and Gregory Nazianzus.

St. Symeon Glowing with the Presence of Christ Within Him

GREEK HYMN 

O venerable Father, Symeon the New Theologian, 

Thou didst shine as a beacon of divine wisdom and light, 

Teaching us to seek the uncreated light of the Spirit, 

Guide us, through thy intercession, to the glory of Christ our God, 

That our souls may be saved.

O Father Symeon, radiant star of the spiritual life, 

By thy prayers and teachings thou hast shown the way 

To the vision of God’s ineffable glory. 

Pray for us, O holy one, 

That we may walk in the path of divine light.

COLLECT 

O God, who didst reveal unto Thy servant Symeon the New Theologian the mysteries of Thine uncreated light, grant that by his intercession, we may also be made worthy to partake of Thy heavenly illumination. Guide us, we pray, by Thy grace, to live in holiness and purity, that we may behold Thy glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever. Amen.

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