Simon of Cyrene

Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross

Market gardener from the surroundings of Jerusalem. Originally from this region of Libya where a strong Jewish colony thrived in this Greek city. On the Friday of the Passion, he is transporting vegetables with his two sons.

Longinus, the centurion, worried about the health condition of the condemned Jesus, notices him and requisitions him to help carry the cross. It was indeed mandatory that the condemned to death carry his cross, to arrive alive at the execution:

"Do you see that man? [...] He cannot proceed further laden as He is. You are strong.. Take His cross and carry it in His stead as far as the summit."

Then, once Jesus arrived at Calvary:

"The centurion orders the man from Cyrene to go away. And he goes away, unwillingly now, and I would not say out of sadism, but of love. In fact he stops near the Galileans, sharing with them the insults that the crowds give liberally to these haggard believers of the Christ."

Character and appearance

A robust man about forty-five years old.

Apostolic journey

It is likely that he, or at least his two sons, became disciples and figures of the nascent Church.

His name

Simon, like Simeon (Chimon - Shim'ôn), means "who hears". Historical reference: the second son of Jacob who was held hostage by his brother Joseph, who became the steward of the Pharaoh.

Where is he mentioned in the work?

GRM 608 GRM 631

Learn more about this character

Cyrene, the ancient Greek city (in present-day Libya), is the oldest and most important of the five Greek colonies in the region and gives its name to Cyrenaica, which is still used today.