Simon of Cyrene

Saint Simon of Cyrene or The Cyrenean was, according to the gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke, the person who helps carry the cross of Jesus to Golgotha, where he would later be crucified. It is said that 'he came from the countryside', and in the gospel of Mark he is referred to as 'father of Alexander and Rufus'. There is no further information about him in the New Testament.

His city of origin, Cyrene, was located in North Africa. According to tradition, his sons Rufus and Alexander became missionaries. The fact that their names are mentioned suggests that they could have been relevant figures in early Christianity.

Simon of Cyrene is not officially canonized in the Roman Catholic saints and martyrology, but in popular piety he is considered a saint for the merits of helping the Messiah carry the Cross. In the Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Church he is considered a saint and his memory is celebrated on December 1. It is stated in the apocryphal gospels that he converted and became a disciple of the apostles; In later tradition this saint did not go unnoticed as he was the one who helped Jesus carry the wood of the cross to Golgotha, a task that would undoubtedly bring about his conversion and his sanctity.