St. Simeon the Stylite

A Syrian shepherd boy whose asceticism was too severe for any monastery to keep him, who in about 423 climbed a pillar near Aleppo to escape the crowds that came to him, and lived on top of pillars, each taller than the last, for thirty-seven years. He preached from it twice a day, settled disputes, wrote to emperors about the defence of Chalcedon, and converted whole tribes of nomads. Theodoret, who visited him, is the eyewitness. After his death in 459 a great church was built around the column, and its ruins stand north of Aleppo. His day is the first of the Church year. Feast: September 1.