Simeon of Mantua

Who was Simeon of Mantua?

Simeon of Mantua was a Benedictine monk of Armenian origin who was canonized as a saint in the late 11th century.

Little is known of Simeon's early life, but at some time he left his homeland and spent some years living as a hermit in Palestine. After this, he is known to have visited Rome, where his exoticism led to his harassment by a Roman mob. Papal intervention calmed this situation. In the following period Simeon traveled across Italy, France, and Spain before returning to northern Italy, joining a Benedictine monastery at Mantua, where he became known for his kindness and generosity. He died in Mantua in 1016.

His tomb was a reported cite of numerous miracles, which contributed to his canonization in the latter 11th century. A local noble, Marchese Bonifacio III of Montferrat, later rebuilt a local church and dedicated it in Simeon's honor.