July 21

Simeon the Fool and his companion John (6th cent.) monks

Today the Eastern churches commemorate the Syrian monks Symeon and John.
While in Jerusalem on pilgrimage, they decided not to return home, but to stay and become monks. They received the habit at the monastery of St. Gerasimos and lived for many years in the desert, following an austere regimen focused on prayer. John remained in solitude until the end of his life, but Symeon decided to return to society to spread the Gospel of salvation, driven by the words of Scripture: "I have become all things to all people, so that I might save every creature."
"In the power of Christ," Symeon said to John, "I am going to make fun of the world." He settled in Emesa, Syria and feigned madness in order to unveil the vain works of all those he met and lead them towards good. His spiritual greatness and genuine love were understood only after his death at the end of the sixth century.

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THE CHURCHES REMEMBER...

WESTERN CATHOLICS:
Lawrence of Brindisi (d. 1619), priest and doctor of the Church (Roman and Ambrosian calendars)
Victor of Marseille (3rd cent.), martyr (Spanish-Mozarabic calendar)

COPTS AND ETHIOPIANS (14 abib/hamle):
Macarius of Alexandria (d. ca. 394), monk (Coptic Orthodox Church)
Ephrem the Syrian (d. 373), deacon and monk (Coptic Catholic Church)

LUTHERANS:
John Eliot (d. 1690), evangelist to the Indians

MARONITES:
Simeon the Fool and John, monks

ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS AND GREEK CATHOLICS:
Simeon, fool-for-Christ, and John of Emesa, monks
Mirdat (4th-5th cent.), martyr (Georgian Church)

OLD CATHOLICS:
Daniel (6th cent. BCE), prophet