Venerable Simon The Stylite

St. Symeon the Stylite (c. 390–459) was the great ascetic of the Christian East and founder of stylitism (pillar-asceticism). Born in the village of Sisan on the Syria–Cilicia border to a shepherd's family, he entered monastic life as a boy after hearing the Beatitudes read in church. His extreme fasting and prayer led him to leave his cenobitic monastery for solitary struggle, and in 423, seeking to escape the crowds drawn by his fame, he mounted a stone pillar near Antioch, progressively increasing its height. He remained atop it for roughly 37 years, praying unceasingly and instructing the throngs of pilgrims, emperors, and bishops who sought his counsel; his influence is credited with helping bring about the Council of Chalcedon in 451 and converting many pagan Arabs to Christianity. He reposed in prayer on 2 September 459, at about 70 years of age. His feast, 1/14 September, traditionally opened the Russian church new year. He inaugurated the stylite tradition continued by his disciple Daniel the Stylite and others — including the distinct, later 6th-century St. Symeon the Stylite the Younger of the Wondrous Mountain (d. 596, feast 24 May), who must not be confused with this elder Symeon.