Simeon Stylites the Elder

Venerable Symeon Stylites the Elder who stood 36 years on a pillar.

St. Simeon Stylites the Elder was a Syrian ascetic of the fifth century who, seeking greater stillness, took up his dwelling on top of a pillar near Antioch. There he stood for many years in prayer and fasting, teaching the crowds who gathered below and reconciling enemies, until his repose in the year 459.

He was the first and most famous of the pillar-dwellers, and his extraordinary endurance made him a wonder of the Christian world even in his lifetime. He is commemorated on September 1, at the opening of the church year.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Simeon Stylites the Elder is commemorated on September 1. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on September 14 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Simeon, Symeon

Also commemorated on September 1

• Beginning of the Church Year

  Great Feast, Αρχή της Ινδίκτου

  The Indiction — beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year.

• 

  40 Holy Virgin Martyrs of Thrace

  Martyr, Αγίες Σαράντα Παρθενομάρτυρες

  The 40 Holy Ascetic Virgin Martyrs of Thrace and their teacher Ammon the Deacon.

  Name days: Ammon, Adamantia, Adamantini, Diamanto, Athina, Athena, Akrivi, Antigoni, Antigone, Arivoia, Aspasia, Afroditi, Aphrodite, Dioni, Dodoni, Elpiniki, Erasmia, Erato, Ermioni, Hermione, Efterpi, Euterpe, Thalia, Thaleia, Theano, Theanoi, Theonymfi, Theofano, Kalliroi, Kallirroi, Kallisti, Kleio, Clio, Kleoniki, Kleopatra, Cleopatra, Koralia, Coralia, Lambro, Margarita, Marianthi, Melpomeni, Moscho, Ourania, Urania, Rania, Pandora, Pinelopi, Penelope, Polymnia, Polyniki, Sapfo, Sappho, Terpsichori, Troada, Chaido, Haido, Charikleia, Hariklia, Penelopi

• Joshua the Son of Nun

  Saint, Ιησούς του Ναυή

  Righteous Joshua the son of Nun, successor of Moses and leader of Israel into the Promised Land.

  Name days: Joshua

• Martha the Mother of Simeon Stylites

  Holy Woman, Μάρθα

  Venerable Martha, mother of St. Simeon Stylites of the Wonderful Mountain.

  Name days: Martha

• Evanthia the Righteous

  Holy Woman, Ευανθία

  Venerable Evanthia, righteous woman commemorated at the opening of the Church year.

  Name days: Evanthia, Evanthea, Evanthie, Evantheia

• Meletios the New of Myoupolis

  Venerable, Μελέτιος ο Νέος

  Venerable Meletios the New, ascetic of Mount Myoupolis in Boeotia.

  Name days: Meletios, Meletius, Meletis

• Evodos, Kallisti and Hermogenes

  Martyr, Εύοδος, Καλλίστη και Ερμογένης

  Holy Martyrs Evodos, Kallisti and Hermogenes, siblings of Nicomedia.

  Name days: Evodos, Hermogenes, Ermogenis, Kallisti, Callista, Callisti

• Angelis the New Martyr of Constantinople

  Martyr, Αγγελής

  New Martyr Angelis, goldsmith of Constantinople, martyred under the Ottomans.

  Name days: Angelis

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.