Who he was
- He was a deacon at a village in the region of Antioch.
- He was a potter who wrote Syriac religious songs during his work; he composed a certain melody which was later named after him.
- St. Jacob of Sarugvisited him in his workshop,and while
there, he heard his songs. He praised him and encouraged him to continue.
- He also took some of the songs to show to St. Severus the patriarch.
What he wrote
- The songs of Simeon: - centered on the Nativity, miracles, crucifixion, and Resurrection of Christ; - praised the Virgin Mary; - focused on the prophets, saints, the departed, and repentance.
- Some of his hymns are used in the prayers of the
Syrian Church.
- He also wrote poetry which he adapted to different melodies. 28 of these verses (discovered in the 8th century) are extant in London.