Simeon Stylites: The Monk Who Lived on a Pillar

Day 87 / 365

Simeon Stylites was a monk who lived during the 5th century AD. He was known for his extreme devotion to his faith and his desire to avoid the distractions of the world. So, what did he do? He climbed on top of a pillar and stayed there for the rest of his life!

Yes, you heard it right. Simeon spent 37 years of his life living on top of a pillar. This may seem crazy, but Simeon had a good reason for doing so. He wanted to avoid the distractions of the world and devote himself fully to prayer and contemplation.

At first, Simeon climbed atop a small pillar just outside his village. However, as his followers grew in number, they built him taller and taller pillars. At its tallest, Simeon’s pillar was around 50 feet high. He endured extreme weather conditions, such as scorching heat and freezing cold, without any shelter to protect him.

Many people thought that Simeon was crazy for living on top of a pillar, but they were also fascinated by his extreme devotion to his faith. People came from all over to seek his guidance and wisdom, despite the fact that he was trying to avoid them. As a result, Simeon’s attempt to isolate himself from the world backfired, and he ended up becoming even more famous than he ever imagined.

Simeon’s survival on top of his pillar was due to his extreme practices, including strict fasting and other self-denial measures. He also had the support of his followers, who would bring him food and water, as well as other supplies he needed to survive.

Despite the fact that Simeon’s lifestyle may seem extreme to us, his life is considered a testament to the power of faith. His devotion and commitment to his spiritual path inspired many other ascetics and hermits throughout history.

This story is part of my 365-Day Project for 2023. Read about it here

Yesterday’s blog — Studying 12 hours a day for a year