|
According to the Gospel of Mark (15:21-22), Matthew (27:32), and Luke (23:26) Simon of Cyrene (שמעון "Hearkening; listening", Standard Hebrew Šimʿon, Tiberian Hebrew Šimʿôn) was compelled by the Romans to carry the cross of Jesus as Jesus was taken to his crucifixion.
Because his home town, Cyrene, is located in Africa, some believe he was the first Black saintly Christian. Tradition states his sons Rufus and Alexander became missionaries.
|
