Simon the Zealot

Who was Simon the Zealot?

Why this Father matters to Catholic apologetics: Called the Zealot — his call alongside Matthew the tax collector shows Christ uniting the politically opposite in one body

Born

c. 5 BC · Galilee

Died

c. AD 65 · Persia (martyrdom)

See / Role

One of the Twelve Apostles

Historical Period

Apostolic

Called the Zealot — his call alongside Matthew the tax collector shows Christ uniting the politically opposite in one body.

Where Simon the Zealot stands in the chain

Ordination chain from Christ to this Father — and onward to students. Solid links cite named primary sources. Unknown means no ordainer is historically attested. Nodes with a profile are linked.

Simon the Zealot received authority directly from Christ — not through a chain of human ordination. The Apostles are the foundation of the chain, not a link within it. Every bishop in the unbroken succession traces their authority back through the Fathers to the Apostles, and through the Apostles to Christ himself.

Who was Simon the Zealot?

Where Simon the Zealot stands in the chain

History has always been on her side.