The righteous Simeon the God-receiver was, according to the testimony of the holy Evangelist Luke, one of God's chosen ones who awaited the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit dwelt upon him (Luke 2:25). It was announced to him from God that he would not die until the promised Messiah– Christ the Lord, came into the world.
Ancient historians report that the Egyptian king Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285-247 BC) wished to replenish his famous library of Alexandria with texts of sacred books. He invited the scribes from Jerusalem. The Sanhedrin sent its wise men. Among the 72 scholars who arrived in Alexandria to translate the Holy Scriptures into Greek, Saint Simeon was invited.
The righteous Simeon translated the book of the prophet Isaiah. After reading in the original the words "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son" (Isaiah 7:14), he decided that the word "Virgin" was used here incorrectly, instead of the word "Wife", and wanted to correct the text. At that moment, an Angel appeared to him and held his hand, saying: "Have faith in the written words, you will see for yourself that they will be fulfilled, for you will not taste death until you see the Lord Christ, Who will be born of a Pure and Immaculate Virgin." From that day on, the righteous Simeon began to expect the coming of the Promised Messiah.
And one day, the righteous Simeon, led by the Spirit of God, came to the Jerusalem temple. It was on the very day (the fortieth after the Nativity of Christ) when the Most Pure Virgin Mary and Her Betrothed Joseph came there to perform the rite prescribed by Jewish law – to present their Divine Firstborn before the Lord and offer the prescribed sacrifice. As soon as the righteous Simeon saw the newcomers, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that the Infant of God, held by the Most Pure Virgin Mary, was the expected Messiah, the Savior of the world. The elder took the Infant Christ in his arms and uttered his prophetic words: "Now, Master, according to Your word, let Your servant go in peace, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all men. A light to enlighten the Gentiles and the glory of Your people Israel." He blessed the Most Pure Virgin and the righteous Joseph and, addressing the Theotokos, said: "Behold, this One lies for the fall and rebellion of many in Israel and for the object of strife, and a weapon will pass through Your soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed" (Luke 2:22-35).
Further, the holy evangelist narrates: "There was also Anna the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher, who reached a great old age, having lived with her husband from her virginity for seven years, a widow of about eighty-four, who did not leave the temple, serving God day and night by fasting and prayer. And she came at that time, praising the Lord and prophesying about him to all who were waiting for deliverance in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:36-38).
It is known about the holy and righteous Simeon the God-receiver that he died after living 360 years. In the sixth century, his holy relics were transferred to Constantinople. In 1200, his coffin was seen by the Russian pilgrim St. Anthony, the future Archbishop of Novgorod (1212-1220; + 1232; October 8, commemoration).