Simeon Stylites, Saint

Simeon Stylites, Saint
or Simeon the Elder

born с 390, Sisan, Cilicia
died 459, Telanissus, Syria

Syrian ascetic.

A shepherd, he entered a monastic community but was expelled for excessive austerity and became a hermit. His reputed miracle working drew such crowds that he took to living atop a 6-ft (2-m) pillar (Greek stylos) с 420, becoming the first of the stylites (pillar hermits). He remained atop a second, 50-ft (15-m) pillar until his death; a railing prevented his falling, and food was brought by disciples. He inspired other ascetics and is called Simeon the Elder to distinguish him from a 6th-century stylite of the same name. Stylites were documented as late as the 19th century in Russia.

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▪ Christian monk
also called  Simeon The Elder  
born c. 390, , Sisan, Cilicia [near modern Aleppo, Syria]
died 459, Telanissus, Syria

      Syrian monk who was the first known stylite, or pillar hermit (from Greek stylos, “pillar”). He was called Simeon the Elder to distinguish him from a 6th-century stylite also named Simeon.

      A shepherd, Simeon entered a monastic community, but, because of his excessive austerities, he was expelled and became a hermit. His reputed miracle-working generated popular veneration to such a degree that, about 420, to escape the importunities of the people, he began his pillar life northwest of Aleppo. His first column was 6 feet (2 m) high, later extended to about 50 feet (15 m). He remained atop the column until his death, permanently exposed to the elements, standing or sitting day and night in his restricted area, protected from falling by a railing, and provided with a ladder to communicate with those below or to receive meagre gifts of food from disciples. Eventually his pillar became a pilgrimage site. Visitors sought spiritual counsel, relief from sickness, intervention for the oppressed, and enlightenment in prayer and doctrine. Simeon apparently converted many people, and he influenced the Eastern Roman emperor Leo I to support the orthodox Chalcedonian party during the 5th-century controversy over the nature of Christ. Simeon's reputation inspired ascetics, both men and women, to emulate and surpass his austerities, some stylites appearing as late as the 19th century in Russia.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Simeon Stylites,Saint — Simeon Sty·li·tes (stī līʹtēz), Saint. A.D. 390? 459. Syrian Christian ascetic. The first of the “pillar dwelling” ascetics, he spent 30 years atop a column. * * * …   Universalium

  • Simeon Stylites the Younger — Saint Simeon Stylites the Younger (521 May 24, 597) is a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Born at Antioch, his father was a native of Edessa, his mother, named Martha was afterwards revered as a saint and a life of her, which incorporates a… …   Wikipedia

  • Simeon Stylites the Younger, Saint — • From Antioch. 521 597, lived on a pillar for 68 years. Also a brief mention of St. Simeon Stylites III Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006 …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Simeon Stylites the Elder, Saint — • First and most famous of the hermits whose asceticism involved living atop a pillar. Died in 459 Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006 …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Simeon Stylites — [stī līt′ēz] Saint (A.D. 390? 459?); Syrian monk who lived & preached on the top of a pillar near Antioch for over 30 years: his day is Jan. 5 …   English World dictionary

  • Simeon Stylites — Infobox Saint name=Saint Simeon Stylites birth date=c. 390 death date=2 September 459 feast day=1 September (Eastern Orthodox Church) 29 Pashons (Coptic Orthodox Church) 5 January (Western Christianity) venerated in=Oriental Orthodox Church… …   Wikipedia

  • Martha, mother of Simeon Stylites the Younger — Saint Martha Born unknown Edessa (?) Died 551 Honored in Eastern Orthodox Church Feast July 4 Saint Martha (died 551) was the mother of Simeon Stylites the Younger …   Wikipedia

  • Simeon Stylites, the Elder — (c. 390–459)    Saint.    Simeon was the most famous of the pillar hermits. He was born in Cilicia and, after finding monastic life too distracting, he retired to Telanissos where he lived on top of a pillar. It was about sixty feet high and on… …   Who’s Who in Christianity

  • Simeon Stylites — biographical name Saint circa 390 459 Syrian ascetic & pillar dweller …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Simeon Stylites — /stuy luy teez/, Saint A.D. 390? 459, Syrian monk and stylite. * * * …   Universalium

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