Saint Symeon the Myrrh-streaming

My Journey – The Story of Symeon (Appendix)

Appendix – From Stephen to Symeon

I was born with the name Stephen.
I always liked it.
It meant 'crown'—strong, bold, and linked to the first Christian martyr.

But when I was chrismated into the Orthodox Church,
I was given a new name:

Symeon.

It wasn’t random.
My birthday, February 13, is the feast day of
Saint Symeon the Myrrh-streaming,
a 12th-century mystic whose relics are said to have poured forth healing oil.

I’ve never felt worthy of that name.
But I’ve come to understand:
It wasn’t about changing names.
It was about walking into a new chapter.

Stephen was a speaker.
Symeon is learning silence.

Stephen debated.
Symeon listens.

Stephen served.
Symeon now waits—for the last sinner to come home.