Simeon Stylites

About Simeon Stylites

Simeon Stylites was a Syrian ascetic who spent 37 years living atop a pillar (Greek: stylos) near Aleppo. Starting on a small platform, he eventually used a pillar 50 feet high with a 12-foot platform. This extreme asceticism was meant to escape worldly distractions, but crowds gathered seeking spiritual guidance and miracles. Simeon preached twice daily from his pillar, converted many pagans, settled disputes, and interceded for the poor. His radical witness inspired imitators (stylites) for centuries. He died on his pillar around 459.