Simon and Jude are listed among the twelve apostles in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Simon is called ‘the Zealot’ – a member of a nationalist movement. Jude is called the son of James (Luke), and the brother of James (Ep. Jude), and is probably the same person as Thaddæus, which may have been a last name.
Why is Jude the patron of lost causes? One theory is that he was only prayed to as a last resort, because his name was similar to that of Judas Iscariot.Owing to the similarity of his name to that of Judas Iscariot.
The two apostles are joined together on this day because a church in Rome had relics of and a dedication to both of them.
Collect
Almighty God,
who built your Church upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets,
with Jesus Christ himself as the chief corner-stone:
so join us together in unity of spirit by their doctrine,
that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
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