Saint Simeon the God-Receiver (Chimev) - S530

Saint Simeon was the old man who received the infant Christ when he was presented at the Temple for Mary's purification on the 40th day of his birth, as described in Luke 2:22-40. He offered the prayer, "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace," which is said each day at the end of Vespers. He had been promised that he would see the Messiah with his own eyes.

According to tradition, Saint Simeon was one of the Jewish scribes who translated the Septuagint version of the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek in the 3rd century BC. While translating the Book of Isaiah, he came to the verse which says, "a Virgin shall conceive." While he marveled at this verse, a voice from heaven told Simeon that he would not die until he saw this prophecy fulfilled. Thus he lived in the Temple for centuries until he met Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Saint Simeon is commemorated on February 3, the day after the Presentation of Christ.