Bede the Venerable — as excerpted in the Catena Aurea on Luke 23:26-32

“Simon is by interpretation “obedient,” Cyrene “an heir.” By this man therefore the people of the Gentiles are denoted, who formerly foreigners and aliens to the covenant, have now by obedience been made heirs of God. But Simon coming out of a village, bears the cross after Jesus, because forsaking the pagan rites, he obediently embraces the footsteps of our Lord’s Passion. For a village is in Greek called πάγος, from whence Pagans derive their name.”