The Lives of Simeon Stylites

by Robert Doran (Contributor)

In the flood of christian ascetics who left the world to seek God alone, Simeon chose a novel withdrawal. He mounted a pillar and remained there the rest of his life. To him came supplicants with all kinds of personal anguish, sickness and pain, infertility, sin, and social transgression. Public issues were mediated at his shrine and slaves manumitted. Three views of the Stylite in three lives.

Genres: Religion

241 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Greg]

Stand upon a tower for years and years; hello, sainthood.

[Lauren Rice · Rating 2 out of 5]

“So God arranged this extraordinary novelty to draw everyone by its strangeness to the spectacle and make the proffered counsel persuasive to those who come. For the novelty of the spectacle is a reliable guarantee of the instruction, and whoever comes to the spectacle departs instructed in divine affairs.”

“Whatever our Lord does is not for you to worry about. You just carry out whatever is commanded to you. Our Lord knows what to do for the glory of his name.”

[K. P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't try this at home. A fascinating figure, obedient ut undomesticated, solitary, but helping others and a spectacle in himself.