Simeon the Wonderworker

Venerable Simeon the Wonderworker was a Georgian monk raised at David Gareji Monastery, where he struggled for many years as a simple monk until old age, when he was chosen to be abbot. He was distinguished by virtue and humility, and the Lord gave him the gift of working miracles.

Once he fell deathly ill and lay without breath for more than an hour. Then, by divine providence, he rose and distributed all his possessions to the fathers of the monastery, so that they might keep him in remembrance. Hearing of this miracle, Saint Serapion hurried to Abbot Simeon, his spiritual father, and, enlightened by the grace of prophecy, comforted him with these words: "Honoured Father, give me your holy hands that I may kiss them. How I long for them to bury the dust of my unworthy body. But now you are leaving this world before me. You will go, Father, but without you I will not remain long on earth; soon I will follow you."

The fathers bade him farewell for the last time. Simeon put the affairs of the monastery in order and reposed in peace in the year 1773, a week after he had recovered from his deathly illness.

He is commemorated on 4 September.