Simeon Stylites | |
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![]() 6th century depiction of Simeon on his column. A scallop shell symbolizing spiritual purity blesses Simeon; the serpent represents demonic temptations (Louvre). | |
Venerable Father | |
Born | c. 390 Sis, Cilicia, Roman Empire |
Died | 2 September 459 (aged 68–69)[1][2] Qalaat Semaan, Byzantine Syria (between Aleppo and Antioch) |
Venerated in | |
Canonized | Pre-congregation |
Feast |
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Attributes | Clothed 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, romanized: Šimʕun dʼAstˁonā; Arabic: سمعان العمودي, romanized: Simʿān 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 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.
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