Simeon Stylites

St. Simeon is called "Stylites", meaning "pillar-dweller", because of the pillar on which he lived for about thirty-five years. In the early fifth century this was understood as a rejection of the world's vanities, and as an expression of the desire to mount closer to heaven.

Simeon was born near the end of the fourth century in what is today Syria. As a teenager he entered a monastery.

"One day he went out from the monastery and came across a bucket in front of the well from which the water was drawn. It had a rope attached, and he untied the rope, went to a secluded place and wrapped the rope around his whole body. Over the rope he put a tunic made of hair ... So he remained a year or more with the rope wrapped around his flesh, and it ate into his flesh so that the rope was covered by the rotted flesh of the righteous man. Because of his stench no one could stand near him, but no one knew his secret. His bed was covered with worms, but no one knew what had taken place ... When he heard this, the abbot was astounded. He inspected his bed and found it full of worms, and because of the stench he could not stay there. The abbot said, ' ... Man, why do you do these things? Where does this stench come from? Why do you deceive the brethren? Why do you undo the rule of the monastery? Are you some kind of spirit? Go somewhere else and die away from us.' ... When he heard these things, the saint, bowing to the ground, was absolutely silent, but the place where he was standing was filled with his tears."

So Simeon went out on his own in search of the holy life; after experimenting with various uncomfortable living conditions, including the open air, a domed hut, and a circular enclosure of stones, he ascended the first of a series of increasingly higher pillars. His final pillar was forty cubits (about sixty feet) high and had a platform on top about six feet square. As his fame grew, he was increasingly called upon to mediate disputes, work miracles, and heal the sick.

"By God's will the king of the Arabs came to him to have the saint pray for him ... While they were talking together, a worm fell from Simeon's thigh; it caught the king's attention and, since he did not yet know what it was, he ran and picked it up. He placed it on his eyes and onto his heart and went outside holding it in his hand. The saint sent a message to him, saying, 'Come inside and put away what you have taken up, for you are bringing misery upon me, a sinner. It is a stinking worm from stinking flesh. Why soil your hand, you, a man held in honor?' When the righteous man had said this, the Arab came inside and said to him, 'This will bring blessing and forgiveness of sins to me.' When he opened his hand, a precious pearl was in his hand. When he saw it, he began to glorify God and said to the righteous man, 'Look! What you said was a worm is a pearl -- in fact, a priceless one -- by means of which the Lord has enlightened me.' On hearing this, the saint said to him, 'As you have believed, so may it be to you all the days of your life -- not only to you, but to your children also.' So blessed, the king of the Arabs returned home safe and sound, rejoicing."

This account of Simeon's death in 459 was reportedly written by his disciple Antonius:

"... I saw his face and it shone like the sun. Although his custom was to speak to me, he said nothing to me. I said to myself, 'He is dead', but then I was not sure; I feared to approach him, so, taking courage, I said to him, 'My lord, why do you not speak to me and end your prayer? The world has been waiting to be blessed for three whole days.' After standing for an hour, I said to him, 'You have not answered me, my lord.' Stretching out my hand, I touched his beard, and, when I saw that his body was very soft, I knew that he had died. Putting my face in my hands, I wept bitterly. I bent down, kissed his mouth, his eyes and his beard, lifted up his tunic and kissed his feet; taking hold of his hand, I placed it on my eyes. Throughout his body and his garments was a scented perfume which, from its sweet smell, made one's heart merry."

After Simeon's death a monastery was built where his pillar had stood; the base of the pillar can still be seen within its ruins.