Simeon Stylites, Saint

Simeon Stylites, Saint (sĭm`ēŏn stīlī`tēz) [Gr.,= of a pillar], d. 459?, Syrian hermit. He lived for more than 35 years on a small platform on top of a high pillar. He had many imitators (called stylites) and gained the reverence of the whole Christian world. Feast: Jan. 5.

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Simeon Stylites, Saint

 or Simeon the Elder

(born c. 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) c. 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.