Simeon Stylites


Simeon Stylites
6th century depiction of Simeon on his column. A scallop shell symbolizing spiritual purity blesses Simeon; the serpent represents demonic temptations (Louvre).
Venerable Father
Bornc. 390
Sis, Cilicia, Roman Empire
Died2 September 459 (aged 68–69)[1][2]
Qalaat Semaan, Byzantine Syria (between Aleppo and Antioch)
Venerated in
CanonizedPre-congregation
Feast
AttributesClothed as a monk in monastic habit, shown standing on top of his pillar

Simeon Stylites or Symeon the Stylite[n 1] (Greek: Συμεών ό Στυλίτης; Syriac: ܫܡܥܘܢ ܕܐܣܛܘܢܐ, romanizedŠimʕun dʼAstˁonā; Arabic: سمعان العمودي, romanizedSimʿān al-ʿAmūdī c. 390 – 2 September 459) was a Syrian Christian ascetic, who achieved notability by living 36 years on a small platform on top of a pillar near Aleppo (in modern Syria). Several other stylites later followed his model (the Greek word style means "pillar"). Simeon is venerated as a saint by the Eastern Catholic Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Eastern Orthodox Church, and Roman Catholic Church. He is known formally as Simeon Stylites the Elder to distinguish him from Simeon Stylites the Younger, Simeon Stylites III and Symeon Stylites of Lesbos.

  1. ^ "Saint Simeon Stylites". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  2. ^ Thurston, H. (1912). "St. Simeon Stylites the Elder". The Catholic Encyclopedia – via New Advent.


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