He was born in
Bucy, in
Soissons. Before being bishop, he was a
judge in the
Exchequer of Normandy and later
archdeacon of
Reims and canon in
Paris,
Laon and
Soissons. However, after the death of
Renaud de Hombliéres, the bishop of Paris, and the following demise of his elected successor,
Adenulphe d'Agnani, before consecration, Simon Matifas was elected as bishop in 1290. In 1290, Simon is said to have
burned a
Jew at the stake due to presumed
host desecration. The
host was reportedly burned but survived. The
Church of Les Billettes was built on the site of the supposed
miracle. With his donations, Matifas financed the construction of three
chapels in
Notre-Dame de Paris. His tomb is located in that same
cathedral. Matifas died in 1304. == References ==