Saint
Symeon the New Theologian
New Calendar March 12 Old Calendar March 25
Why they are a saint
Saint Symeon the New Theologian was an Eastern Orthodox monk and poet who was one of the three saints canonized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and given the title of "Theologian". "Theologian" was not applied to Symeon in the modern academic sense of theological study; the title was intended only to recognise someone who spoke from personal experience of the vision of God. One of his principal teachings was that humans could and should experience theoria.
Life
Saint Symeon the New Theologian was born in 949 in Galatea in Paphlagonia and educated in Constantinople, where for a time he held a high position at court. At fourteen he met Elder Symeon the Pious of the Studion Monastery, who guided him for years in the world and recommended the writings of Saint Mark the Ascetic; at twenty-seven he entered the monastery.
Because of discontent among the brethren he was sent to the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople, where he received the schema and grew in prayer and knowledge of the Scriptures and Fathers. Later, after conflict with church authorities, he was banished and settled across the Bosphorus at the ancient monastery of Saint Makrina, where he peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in 1021. His Life was written by his disciple Saint Nicetas Stethatos. Because March 12 falls in Great Lent, his feast is also kept on October 12.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Symeon the New Theologian as a patron when they bear the name Symeon at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on March 12. pan-Orthodox, Greek Orthodox faithful also honor his as one of their own.
Prayer
O holy Symeon the New Theologian, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.