[[Rabbeinu Tam|R. Jacob Tam]] expressed his belief that '''Simon CaIaphas''', the first Patriarch of Jerusalem, "was a devout and learned Jew, who dedicated his life to guiding [[Notzrim|Heretics]] along the proper path. R. Tam further maintained that Simon was the author of the Nishmat prayer recited on Sabbaths and Festivals. (Machzor Vitry, edited by S.Hurwitz, 1923, p.285 note 5 and p. 362 note 5. CF. [[Julius Eisenstein|J. Eisenstein]]'s articles on Simon CaIaphas in [[Otzar Israel]] and [[Otzar Midrashim]].)
According to Rashi, the The [http://lemidrash.free.fr/JudaismeChristianisme/index_toledoth.html Teliya] also praises Simon as a greatly learned and pious man dedicated to saving Israelites from [[Minuth|heresy]] and guiding gentile followers of displacement theology into Noahism. The Teliya also recalls Simon in Antioch and his elevated throne.
Simon was officially instated as an Av Beit Din in Antioch by Theophilius on February 22nd.