Who is Saint Simeon the Stylite, whose annual feast we commemorate today September 01?
Elias Bejjani/September 01/2025
The hallowed monk, Saint Simeon the Stylite, is considered one of the most prominent hermits to practice a singular form of asceticism in the history of both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, which commemorate his annual feast on different dates. The Orthodox Church, including the Eastern Catholic Churches such as the Maronite Church, celebrates his feast on the first of September each year. In contrast, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates his feast on the fifth of January each year.
Birthplace, Date of Birth, and Passing
Simeon the Stylite was born around the year 388 AD in the village of Sisan (or Sis), a dependency of the city of Antioch in northern Syria, a region now part of modern-day Turkey near the Syrian border. He was born into a humble family of shepherds. He departed from this world on the second day of September in the year 459 AD, after a lifetime of rigorous asceticism and devout worship.
The Dawn of His Monastic Journey
Simeon’s spiritual journey began at a tender age. At thirteen, he entered a monastery near his home. He was zealous in his spiritual disciplines, a fervor that troubled his fellow monks, as he would fast excessively and engage in prolonged prayers. Among the tales recounted from that period is one of him binding a rough rope of palm fiber around his body, which caused deep wounds. When the abbot discovered this, he asked Simeon to leave the monastery, believing his extreme practices were not suitable for the communal monastic life. Following his departure, Simeon turned to the solitary life of a hermit in the desert, spending a period in complete isolation. He then moved to a mountainous region where he bound himself with iron chains but abandoned this practice after a time at the request of a bishop.
Life Atop the Column
In the year 423 AD, Simeon made the decision for which he became profoundly famed: he resolved to live atop a column. He began with a short column and gradually had it built higher and higher. The final column he lived upon reached a height of approximately 15 meters. Life atop the column was an unfathomable physical and psychological trial. He was exposed to biting cold, scorching heat, wind, and rain, and he slept only for very brief periods. He rarely descended from the column, and when he did, he would return to it swiftly. Simeon remained on the column for nearly 37 years until his passing.
The Message of His Life Atop the Column
Simeon the Stylite’s life on the column was not merely an eccentric or irrational act. It was a message deeply rooted in the Christian faith. Through it, he sought to convey several profound truths:
Purification from Sin: He believed that living in such a state of harsh asceticism would help him cleanse himself of the sins of the flesh and attain a high level of spiritual purity.
Complete Devotion to Worship: Life on the column prevented any worldly distractions, allowing him to dedicate himself entirely to prayer and contemplation of his relationship with God. He saw himself as an “angel on earth.”
A Living Testimony to the World: In an age when faith faced challenges, Simeon’s life was a living testament to the power of unwavering faith and devotion. People came from every corner to witness him and listen to him, and they were profoundly moved by his self-sacrifice.
His Most Significant Sayings and Deeds
Simeon was not known for leaving behind extensive writings, yet his sayings and deeds were echoed by his disciples and visitors. Among the most notable attributed to him are:
Perpetual Prayer: He emphasized the importance of prayer without ceasing, considering it the only way to commune with God.
Preaching and Teaching: Despite living atop the column, he would preach to visitors and teach them the principles of the Christian faith. People sought him for spiritual counsel, and he answered them with patience and wisdom.
Reconciling Disputes: His fame reached distant lands, and princes and kings would ask him to resolve disputes between them, which shows that his influence was not limited to spiritual matters alone. He was regarded as a just spiritual arbiter.
*Miraculous Works: Numerous works of wonder are attributed to Simeon the Stylite, such as healing the sick, prophesying future events, and casting out evil spirits.
Is Saint Simeon the Stylite Canonized by the Catholic Church?
Yes, Saint Simeon the Stylite is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. He is considered a common saint among the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches.
Canonization Status: Saint Simeon the Stylite is revered as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his sainthood is referred to as “pre-congregation.” This means his holiness was recognized in the very early history of the Church, long before the establishment of the modern formal canonization process.
His Legacy, Commemoration & Historical Influence
Influence: Historical records and artifacts in Europe, particularly in Rome, show that Saint Simeon was widely honored in the West as well, underscoring his status as a great figure of faith who transcended the later schisms between the Churches. The life of Saint Simeon the Stylite was a beacon of inspiration for many. After his passing, a massive church was built around the column on which he lived, known as “the Church of Saint Simeon the Stylite,” which is considered one of the most important Christian archaeological sites in the world.
Few followed his specific path of asceticism, yet his life remains a symbol of absolute dedication and sacrifice for the sake of the Faith. Saint Simeon the Stylite is a living example that faith can compel a person to transcend physical and psychological limits to achieve a higher spiritual goal. He is a saint unlike any other, and for this reason, the Church continues to commemorate him and honor him to this very day.
