Simon the Athonite

[1] Simon's date of birth is uncertain, but he has been described as being of the second half of the thirteenth century,[2] and the monastery's records state that he died in 1287.

Watching it over several nights, he saw it stay motionless, at first thinking it was a demonic temptation, but on Christmas Eve the star stood over a high rock and a voice said "Here, Simon, you must lay the foundations of your monastery for the salvation of souls."

So he built the monastery and gave it the name of New Bethlehem (Greek: Νέα Βηθλεέμ).

Simon died, or reposed, in 1287, and was later glorified by many miracles, leading to his beatification.

His holy relics are reported to exude myrrh, giving him the alternative names of Myrrhbearer or Myrrhgusher.