Which apostle was sawed in half?

The apostle traditionally believed to have been sawed in half is Simon, often referred to as Simon the Zealot.

According to ancient traditions, specifically the apocryphal Passion of Simon and Jude, Simon met a martyr's death by being cut in half with a saw. This brutal method of execution has made the saw one of his primary iconographic symbols.

The Life and Martyrdom of Saint Simon

Saint Simon was one of the twelve apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. While less is known about his early life compared to other prominent apostles, tradition offers insights into his later ministry and eventual martyrdom.

• Early Ministry: According to tradition, Simon supposedly preached in Egypt, spreading the teachings of Christianity.
• Partnership with Jude: He then reportedly joined the Apostle St. Jude (Thaddaeus) in Persia, where they continued their missionary efforts together.
• Martyrdom in Persia: It was in Persia that, according to the apocryphal Passion of Simon and Jude, he was martyred by being cut in half with a saw. This instrument became one of his chief iconographic symbols, along with a book, representing his role as a preacher of the Gospel.

The accounts of Simon's martyrdom, particularly the specific detail of being sawed in half, are primarily drawn from ancient apocryphal texts rather than the canonical New Testament. These traditions have profoundly shaped the veneration and artistic representations of Saint Simon throughout Christian history.