SIMEON of POLIRONE, Saint. — Hermit at S. Benedetto di Polirone (Mantua); born in Armenia, died at Polirone on 26 July 1016. He was canonized by Benedict VIII (v. CANONIZATION, III, col. 577).
Having contracted a marriage only to please his father, he abandoned his family and wife and withdrew into solitude among the monks of S. Basil. Then he began a long series of pilgrimages to visit holy places or holy persons. He thus went to Jerusalem, to Rome (983), to Pisa, to Lucca, to Piacenza, to Vercelli, to Turin, to England, to France, and elsewhere. During his wanderings, through his example, prayers, and miracles, he converted many sinners. Unable to endure the hardships of long journeys any longer, he finally returned to Italy and took up the eremitical life among the monks of S. Benedict of Polirone, where he died in holiness. Shortly before his death, however, he was at Parma to attend the translation of St Feliciola in the church of S. Paolo. So states the Life, which is not always reliable. Feast, 26 July.