Simeon of Mantua

Saint Simeon of Mantua
Born 10th century
Armenia
Died AD 1016
Mantua
Honored in Catholic Church
Canonized late 11th century
Feast July 26

Simeon of Mantua (10th century-1016) was a Benedictine monk of Armenian origin who was canonized as a saint in the late 11th century.

Little is known of Simeon's early life, but at some time he left his homeland and spent some years living as a hermit in Palestine. After this, he is known to have visited Rome, where his exoticism led to his harassment by a Roman mob. Papal intervention calmed this situation. In the following period Simeon traveled across Italy, France, and Spain before returning to northern Italy, joining a Benedictine monastery at Mantua, where he became known for his kindness and generosity. He died in Mantua in 1016.

His tomb was a reported cite of numerous miracles, which contributed to his canonization in the latter 11th century. A local noble, Marchese Bonifacio III of Montferrat (not to be confused with either Pope Boniface III or the famous Boniface of Montferrat), later rebuilt a local church and dedicated it in Simeon's honor.

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