St. Simeon, Bishop of Persia icon
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St. Simeon, Bishop of Persia icon

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St. Simeon, Bishop of Persia iconOrthodox icon of Saint Simeon, Bishop of Persia Commemorated April 17th The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II (310 381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor. In the year 344, the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it,

Orthodox icon of Saint Simeon, Bishop of Persia

Commemorated April 17th

The Hieromartyr Simeon, Bishop of Persia, suffered during a persecution against Christians under the Persian emperor Sapor II (310-381). They accused the saint of collaborating with the Roman Empire and of subversive activities against the Persian emperor.

In the year 344, the emperor issued an edict which imposed a heavy tax upon Christians. When some of them refused to pay it, this was regarded as an act of rebellion, so the emperor began a fierce persecution against Christians.

Saint Simeon was brought to trial in iron fetters as a supposed enemy of the Persian realm, together with the two hieromartyrs Habdelai and Ananias. The holy bishop would not even bow to the emperor, who asked why he would not show him the proper respect. The saint answered, “Formerly, I bowed because of your rank, but now, when you ask me to renounce my God and abandon my faith, it is not proper for me to bow to you.”

The emperor urged him to worship the sun, and he threatened to eradicate Christianity in his land if he refused. But neither urgings nor threats could shake the steadfast saint, and they led him off to prison. Along the way the eunuch Usphazanes, a counsellor of the emperor, saw the saint. He stood up and bowed to the bishop, but the saint turned away from him because he, a former Christian, out of fear of the emperor, now worshipped the sun.

The eunuch repented with all his heart, he exchanged his fine attire for coarse garb, and sitting at the doors of the court, he cried out bitterly, “Woe to me, when I stand before my God, from Whom I am cut off. Here was Simeon, and he has turned his back on me!”

The emperor Sapor learned about the grief of his beloved tutor and asked him what had happened. He told the emperor that he bitterly regretted his apostasy and would no more worship the sun, but only the one true God. The emperor was surprised at the old man’s sudden decision, and he urged him not to abjure the gods whom their fathers had reverenced. But Usphazanes was unyielding, and they condemned him to death. Saint Usphazanes asked that the city heralds report that he died not for crimes against the emperor, but for being a Christian. The emperor granted his request.

Saint Simeon also learned about the death of Usphazanes, and he gave thanks to the Lord. When they brought him before the emperor a second time, Saint Simeon again refused to worship the pagan gods and confessed his faith in Christ. The enraged emperor gave orders to behead all the Christians in the prison before the saint’s eyes.

Without fear the Christians went to execution, blessed by the holy hierarch, and they bent their heads beneath the sword. Saint Simeon’s companion, the Priest Habdelai, was also beheaded. When they came to the Priest Ananias, he suddenly trembled. Then one of the dignitaries, Saint Phusicus (Pusicius), a secret Christian, was afraid that Ananias would renounce Christ, and he cried out, “Do not fear the sword, Elder, and you will see the divine light of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Saint Phusicus betrayed himself by this outburst. The emperor gave orders to pluck out his tongue and to flay the skin off him. Along with Saint Phusicus, his daughter Askitrea was also martyred. Saint Simeon was the last to go before the executioner, and he placed his head on the chopping-block (April 13, 344). Executions continued all during Bright Week until April 23.

Saint Azates the Eunuch, a close official to the emperor, also received the crown of martyrdom, along with Saints Abdechalas, Usthazanes, and Azades. The sources indicate that 1,150 Martyrs perished because they refused to accept the Persian religion.

Reference: O.C.A.

 

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SKU: 70543326902

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Chingyuan
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Highly recommended!
Format: Hardcover
I first saw this book at a relative’s house and was immediately drawn in by its content. There’s no text at all, yet it captures children’s interest so strongly—especially when learning the concept of numbers. The illustrations are also beautiful. When my child didn’t yet understand numbers, it was still fun to recognize the animals or see what the characters in the pictures were doing. I really love this book.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2025
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KB
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
A Multi-faceted, beautiful book for babies through primary grades.
Format: Hardcover
Our second generation is now loving this beautiful, clever, playful book. Although there are no words, the story line is a delight. A watercolored village develops one page to the next starting with 0 and ending with 12. The pictures add one item in each category for each new number, building on the previous scene. Readers can find and count buildings, children, adults, pine trees, cherry trees, and an assortment of animals. In addition, in a lovely subtle manner, the four northern hemisphere seasons pass from January to December. The details of adult and child activities through time and seasons can be noted. Anno's creativity in this genre is unsurpassed. For my children, and now for my grandson, this book evokes fascination on several levels both aesthetic and intellectual. Start using it as a baby word book, and it will last as a joy throughout early childhood. Not every baby book must be a board book. Teaching children to turn pages gently is easy to do and adds to the amazing, shared experience.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2015
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Chopper
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Gorgeous book!
Format: Hardcover
Read this over and over with my own children and they loved it. Buying for friends' children/grandchildren and they are loving it, too. Timeless, lots to capture kids' interest and counting. The suggested age is 3 and up, but we used it earlier than 3 years of age; it depends on the child. We're buying them now for newborns figuring they'll "grow into it."
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Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2021
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Dan
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
A truly original concept picture book. Unlike most counting ...
Format: Hardcover
A truly original concept picture book. Unlike most counting concept books that only show one item type (like 2 balls on the page about 2) this book has many items to count on each number page (3 trees, 3 trains, 3 cows, etc, on the pages about the number 3). You have to search around to find each of the items because the author moves the items around each time. :) Yes, it's not as flashy, but it's got what really counts!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2016
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Elisa's Mom
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent early math book
Format: Paperback
I found this book on a recommended Early Math reading list posted on the PBS Parents website. Since there are no words in this book, there is nothing to actually read to your child. But it is likely one of the longest 12 page books I've read. And it is by far the most significant number book my 3 year old has read. Anno uses a town to depict and define numbers 0-12, the seasons, and the months of the year. The seasons and months are recognizeable, but not the focus like the numbers are. For the number 0, you see a blank landscape with a small river. When the child turns the page, he sees a large number 1 on the right side of the book and in the landscape one lone building, one tree, one sun, one snowman.... There is also a set of blocks on the left side of the book, with one block colored in. Thus, the child can see the number 1 represented as a numeral, as a block (of a set of 10), and as an object (one building, one tree, one person). As you turn the pages and the numbers increase, a village forms. The final page is the number 12 -- a full village at Christmas time, complete with 12 reindeer in the sky. As a parent, I enjoy having my daughter "read" to me. But I am most amazed by how the book has helped her to grasp the concept of numbers. As she explained, "0, Mommy. Because there's nothing there."
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Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2009

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