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Simon Magus
Simon Magus [L, sorcerer]. Character of biblical origin whose persona attracted a huge body of medieval legends, many of which entered Celtic literature; his Irish name is Símón Druí. In the Acts of the Apostles 8: 9–24 he is charged with trafficking in sacred things; thus the ecclesiastical crime of simony. More often he is seen as a disputant of Sts Peter and Paul, promising that he has the power to fly up to heaven on his own. The encyclopaedist Isidore of Seville (c.560–636) recorded that Simon had died during the reign of Emperor Nero (AD 54–68). In Irish tradition Simon Magus is much associated with Mug Ruith, whose name may derive from his. Together they construct the fabulous flying-machine roth rámach [Ir., rowing wheel], later an object of fear. Simon's three sons rape Tlachtga, Mug Ruith's daughter; her delivery of triplets on a hill in Co. Meath prompted the annual fair [Ir. óenach] there.
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JAMES MacKILLOP. "Simon Magus." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES MacKILLOP. "Simon Magus." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-SimonMagus.html JAMES MacKILLOP. "Simon Magus." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-SimonMagus.html |
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Simon Magus
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.
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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Simon Magus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Simon Magus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-SimonMagus.html E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Simon Magus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-SimonMagus.html |
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Simon Magus
Simon Magus A magician who held people spellbound in Samaria (Acts 8: 9 ff.). He was baptized by Philip (Acts 8: 13), after which he in turn was no less astonished by Philip's signs and wonders, and was filled with such envy that when Peter arrived Simon sought to obtain a similar power by a financial deal, which Peter repudiated (Acts 8: 20). Despite his repentance he acquired a bad reputation. He was regarded as a Gnostic leader and the offence of ‘simony’ is named from him.
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W. R. F. BROWNING. "Simon Magus." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. W. R. F. BROWNING. "Simon Magus." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-SimonMagus.html W. R. F. BROWNING. "Simon Magus." A Dictionary of the Bible. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O94-SimonMagus.html |
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Simon Magus
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.
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Cite this article
JOHN BOWKER. "Simon Magus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN BOWKER. "Simon Magus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-SimonMagus.html JOHN BOWKER. "Simon Magus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-SimonMagus.html |
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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. |
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Cite this article
"Simon Magus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Simon Magus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-SimonMag.html "Simon Magus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-SimonMag.html |
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