SYMON MAGUS was a sorcerer who had bewitched the citizens of Samaria. He was converted to Christianity when Philip the Apostle preached in that city. When he later tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, Philip denounced him (Acts 8:9-13). He thus gave his name to the sin of buying or selling spiritual blessings--simony.

Sick Thomas swears by St. Simon, SumT 2094, a reference that seems to indicate St. Simon, who is usually coupled with St. Jude. Ann Haskell suggests that Simon Magus is meant here. Simony is called after Symon Magus, who wanted to buy the gift of God for temporal goods, ParsT 782-783. Symon stands with other sorcerers in the hall of Fame's house, HF III.1274.

Symon Magus occurs in final rhyming position, HF III.1274; Symoun occurs in final rhyming position, SumT 2094.