Simon Boetos, the High Priest
This character is not precisely named, although he appears at several stages of Mary's life. His identity is deduced from the historical context.
He is the High Priest who, in the year 18 BCE, presented the young Mary at the Temple, then aged three.[1]
He is the one who marries her, twelve years later, to Joseph, a descendant, like his wife, of David.[2] It is this ancestry that justifies the High Priest officiating himself.
Character and Appearance
"In front is the High Priest… a stately old man, dressed in very fine linen, and wearing over his linen dress a short linen tunic and on top of it a kind of chasuble, something multicoloured between a chasuble and a deacon’s vestment: purple and gold, violet and white alternate and sparkle like gems in the sun: two real gems are shining more brightly at the top of his shoulders. Perhaps they are buckles with their precious settings. On his breast there is a large metal plate shining with gems and held by a gold chain. Pendants and trimmings gleam on the hem of his short tunic and gold shines above his forehead on his mitre, that reminds me of the mitre worn by Orthodox priests, a mitre shaped like a dome instead of being pointed like the Roman Catholic one."[3]
Apostolic Path
This historical figure appears to have been of great piety and great goodness. He is seen taking care of Mary, whose exceptional spiritual nature he recognizes.[4] He is the one who, recommending to God the choice of Mary's spouse, proposes to the suitors of the Davidic line the test of the blossoming rod.[5] According to the visions of Anne-Catherine Emmerich, this came to him while reading these verses from Isaiah:
"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."[6]
His Name
Simeon, like Simon (Chimon- Shim'ôn), means "he who hears." Historical reference: the second son of Jacob who was held hostage by his brother Joseph, who had become the Pharaoh's steward.
Where is he mentioned in the work?
Learn more about this character
Dismissed in the year –4 by Herod the Great, who mistrusted him.