Very little is known of Sts. Simon and Jude except that they were Apostles. Simon is referred to in the Gospels as “the Zealot.” That means that before joining Jesus as a follower, he had been part of a violent revolutionary group set on the overthrow of Rome. The Gospels do not give us any indication of how his conversion took place. St. Jude is actually a second Judas among the Twelve. He is usually referred to as Jude so as not to be confused with Judas Iscariot. Both Simon and Jude went to Persia to preach the Gospel, and both died a martyr’s death there.
    
We celebrate the Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude on Monday, Oct. 28.