4 September 2025

Simeon, often known as Simeon, the Stylite, was the son of a shepherd. At thirteen, he read the Beatitudes and became a very zealous Christian. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.’ Before he was sixteen, he became a monk.

He was notoriously austere. So much so,  the brothers in the monastery asked him to leave. He lived in a hut for a year and a half, praying strenuously, sometimes standing for long periods of time. He removed himself from the hut and looked for high ground.

He sought out a rocky eminence in the mountains and began to live on top of  it. This aspect of his life  is hidden in the term ‘stylite’. It derives from the Greek word for ‘pillar’. As  you can imagine, people were curious to see the monk praying on the pillar.

Pilgrims and sight-seers made their way into the desert. Simeon’s prayers were constantly interrupted so  he moved to a higher  pillar eventually living on top of one which was 15 metres high. His platform on  the pillar was one square metre. A ladder was available for people to talk to him.

On one occasion, the bishop sent messengers to tell him to come down. In humility, Simeon agreed and began to pack up. Seeing his humility the bishop’s messengers told him to stay where he was. He had succeeded in a test of pride.

For the last thirty-six years of his life, he lived on a small platform on top of a pillar near Aleppo, Syria. He inspired others to live on pillars too but not me. The pulpit is the highest pillar which I am prepared to climb! But I share Simeon’s desire to grow closer to God in heart if not in height!