Simon the Tanner was a 10th-century Coptic saint from Egypt who practiced the craft of tanning. He is most famous for his role in a legendary miracle involving the Mokattam Mountain near Cairo. According to tradition, he assisted Pope Abraham the Syrian in demonstrating the power of faith to the Fatimid Caliph al-Muizz Lideenillah. This event supposedly resulted in the mountain being lifted, leading to the ruler's conversion to Christianity.
Life and miracles
A craftsman in Cairo, Simon was known for his piety and for providing water to the poor. Tradition holds that he had lost an eye to strictly follow biblical teachings. During a religious debate, the Caliph demanded a miracle to prove the validity of the Coptic faith. Guided by a vision of the Virgin Mary, the Pope found Simon, who instructed the faithful to perform specific rites that caused the mountain to move.
Veneration and legacy
The Coptic Orthodox Church commemorates this event through three additional days of fasting before the Nativity Fast. In the late 20th century, his remains were discovered during church restorations in Old Cairo. His purported water jar is preserved at the Church of Saint Simon on Mokattam. He is honored at several sites, including the cathedral located near the Zabbaleen village in Cairo.