Simon Magus

Simon Magus , Samaritan sorcerer who attempted to buy spiritual power from the apostles. From this comes the term simony . He is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. He was said to have founded a Gnostic sect.

Simon Magus. According to Acts 8: 9–24, a sorcerer, who practised in Samaria, was converted to Christianity and baptized; he was rebuked by St Peter for trying to obtain spiritual powers for money (hence the term ‘simony’). The Fathers of the 2nd-3rd cent. who opposed Gnosticism regarded Simon as its founder. St Hippolytus ascribes to him a short treatise, the Apophasis Megale. There is, however, dispute about Simon Magus' relationship to Gnosticism and, in particular, to the 2nd cent. sect of Simonians to whom, rather than to Simon himself, the Apophasis is probably to be ascribed.

Simon Magus. An opponent of St Peter, later identified as a heresiarch (see HERESY). According to Acts 8. 9–24 he was a sorcerer known as ‘that Power of God which is called Great’, who practised in Samaria. His career is elaborated in the Clementine Homilies and Recognitions, and also in other legends from which, perhaps, that of Faust evolved.