Simeon the Stylite Life. Reverend Simeon the New Theologian
Born in the Cappadocia village of Sisan into a family of Christians Susotion and Martha. At the age of 13, he began to tend his father's sheep. He treated this first obedience conscientiously and with love.
One day Simeon, hearing in church Gospel commandments bliss, was shocked by their depth. Not trusting his own immature judgment, he immediately turned to the experienced elder with questions.
The elder willingly explained to the youth the content of what he had heard and finally strengthened his determination to follow the Gospel path. Without going home, Simeon went to the nearest monastery and, after tearful requests, a week later he was accepted into the ranks of the brethren.
When Simeon turned 18 years old, he took monastic vows and devoted himself to the deeds of strict abstinence and unceasing prayer. His jealousy, unbearable for the rest of the monastic brethren, alarmed the abbot, and he suggested that the monk either moderate his ascetic deeds or leave the monastery.
Venerable Simeon the Stylite, Antioch
Then the Monk Simeon left the monastery and settled at the bottom of a dry well, where he could fulfill his stern vows without hindrance. After some time, Angels appeared to the abbot in a dream vision, who commanded him to return Simeon to the monastery.
However, the monk did not stay long in the monastery. Soon he retired to a stone cave located near the village of Galanissa, and lived there for three years, increasingly improving in monastic deeds.
The rumor about the Monk Simeon reached the highest church hierarchy and the imperial court. Antioch Patriarch Domnin II visited the saint, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the pillar and communed the ascetic with the Holy Mysteries.
The fathers who labored in the desert also learned about the Monk Simeon, who chose such a difficult form of asceticism. Wanting to test the new ascetic and find out whether his exorbitant exploits were pleasing to God, they sent their envoys to him, who, on behalf of the fathers, were to order the Monk Simeon to come down from the pillar.
In case of disobedience, they had to forcibly drag him to the ground, and if he showed humility, they were instructed, on behalf of the fathers, to bless him to continue his feat. The monk showed complete obedience and deep Christian humility.
The monk gradually increased the height of the pillar on which he stood. Its last pillar was 40 cubits high. A double fence was erected around him, which forbade disorderly crowds of people from getting too close to the monk and disturbing his prayerful concentration. Women were not allowed outside the fence at all.
In this the monk did not make an exception even for his own mother, who, after a long and unsuccessful search, finally managed to discover her missing son.
Not getting a date, she died, clinging to the fence surrounding the pillar. Then the monk asked to bring the coffin to him and reverently said goodbye to his deceased mother - and then her dead face beamed with a blissful smile.
The Monk Simeon the Stylite spent 80 years in intense monastic labors, of which 47 he stood on the pillar. God granted him to perform truly apostolic service in such unusual conditions - many pagans accepted Baptism, shocked by the moral fortitude and physical strength that the Lord bestowed on His ascetic.
His closest disciple Anthony was the first to learn about the death of the monk. Alarmed that his mentor had not shown himself to the people for 3 days, he climbed the pillar and found his dead body bowed in prayer.
The burial of the saint was performed by the Antioch Patriarch Martyrios in front of a huge gathering of clergy and people. He was buried not far from the pillar. Anthony built a monastery on the site of his exploits, on which the special blessing of the Monk Simeon rested.
Born in 356 in Cilicia from poor parents. Until the age of 18, Simeon tended his parents' sheep, then, secretly from his parents, he went to a monastery, where he spent seven days at the gates, asking in vain for shelter. Finally admitted to this monastery, he spent two years there and moved to another, where the monks were distinguished by greater severity of life. The young monk made himself a belt from tree branches, which, having dried, pricked and tore his body. The abbot removed this belt from him, but, fearing that the example of self-torture would not find imitators, he removed Simeon from the monastery.
Simeon moved to the dry bottom of a deep lake. When they wanted to take him back to the monastery, he secretly went to the outskirts of Antioch and settled first in an abandoned hut at the foot of the mountain, and then at the very top of the mountain, where he surrounded his cell with a fence. An iron chain, one end chained to the fence, the other was attached to his leg, so that he could not go beyond his fence. Bishop Meletius of Antioch ordered him to take off the chain: “you can control yourself without shackles, you can tie yourself to a cause and a place with one mind and will.”
Then Simeon becomes world famous not only as an ascetic, but also as a wise man spiritual guide. He knew how to read minds and hearts and heal mental and partly physical ailments. He was recognized throughout the entire Roman Empire, as well as by the Persians, Medes, Saracens, Ethiopians, Iberians, and Scythians, who did not have permanent homes. The emperors wrote to him about their affairs.
In 423, he came up with that type of asceticism called pillarism. He erected a pillar, firmly fixed at the base, and at the top having a platform for standing and seating. At some distance the pillar was surrounded by a wall, beyond which no one had the right to enter. Simeon spoke to those who came to him from the upper platform, spoke passionately, prophetically to a whole crowd, and quietly, meekly to those who came alone. He spent most of his time on the site, although there were no devices for protection from heat or cold, from wind and rain. He labored on the pillar for more than 40 years, indulging in unceasing prayer. One day, says Theodoret, someone wanted to count how many bows an ascetic made at one time, counted them 1244 and, tired, did not continue counting, but Simeon continued to bow. On holidays, the saint stood on the platform of the pillar, with his hands stretched out in prayer, from sunset to sunrise.
Probably Simeon's pillar only at the beginning consisted of one continuous thick tree trunk, as it is depicted in a very ancient drawing, recently reproduced by Bottari in the form of an engraving: here the upper half of the torso of an ascetic is visible holding one end of a rope, to the other end of which someone is standing outside the fence of the pillar, ties food or anything else needed by the ascetic. They think that this is an exact image of the pillar of Simeon.
Saint Simeon lived for more than a hundred years and died during prayer in 459. His relics rested in Antioch. Orthodox Church in the service dedicated to Saint Simeon, he calls him “a heavenly man, an earthly angel and a lamp of the universe.”
The Brockhaus Encyclopedia notes that his ascetic exploits would have been completely incredible if they had been told about by people other than the famous church historians who directly observed him: Theodoret of Cyrus, Fedor the Reader, Evagrius, and others.
Kontakion 1
Chosen servant of Christ, luminary of the world and healer of mental and physical ailments, Reverend Our Father Simeon, who has risen like the bright star of the world, through your life with kindness and many miracles, we honor your deeds and labors, for the sake of the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven you have raised and glorified you the Lord of glory glorifyingly, with warm love we cry out to you:
Ikos 1
You had an angelic disposition, our God-bearing Father Simeon, and like an incorporeal, immaculate life you lived on earth, leaving us with a wondrous image of spiritual perfection, so that we imitate your virtue, and leading you to be a wonderful chosen one of God, this praise is due to you, with love we bring:
Rejoice, Saints of saving faith, unshakable pillar and strong affirmation;
Rejoice, multi-flowing river, watering our hearts with saving teachings;
Rejoice, in a sea of diverse misfortunes there is a safe haven for those who are perishing.
Rejoice, you who drive away the stench of passions from those who come to you;
Rejoice, thou who freest through thy intercession the temptations raised up from the world, the flesh and the devil.
Rejoice, thou who instigates unrepentant sinners to complete repentance;
Rejoice, you who drive away evil spirits and conqueror of hordes of demons.
Rejoice, all-merciful healer of sinful wounds and spiritual illnesses;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 2
Seeing with your spiritual gaze in the days of your youth, Saint Simeon, the vanity of vanities and the pride of this life, having rejected the sinful ways of the world, and you loved Christ Crucified for us with all your soul and with all your thoughts, illuminated by eternal wisdom, you tirelessly proclaimed with your heart to the Lord Jesus who enlightened and called you : Hallelujah!
Ikos 2
With a bright mind and a pure heart, you obeyed the will of God, wonderful Simeon, for you surpassed your peers in love for Our Lord, for you did not hesitate to ask the honest elder about the words of the Holy Gospel. Following his divinely inspired verb, at that same hour you firmly desired to leave all the red of this world and drink on the narrow path leading to the eternal belly. For this reason we cry out to you:
Rejoice, having accepted the good yoke of Christ with love;
Rejoice, jealous of the life of the equal angels;
Rejoice, thou who passionately desired the life of fasting;
Rejoice, armed with abstinence against passion;
Rejoice in humility in obedience to yourself;
Rejoice, you who have shown great diligence for monastic teaching.
Rejoice, guide those who are lost and doubtful;
Rejoice, confirming the goodness of those who live in piety;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 3
Moved by the power and blessing of the All-Holy Spirit, blessed Simeon, you left your earthly father in order to serve only the heavenly Father, and to be not the heir of righteous earthly riches, but of the incorruptible treasures of heaven; Thinking about this, you cried out to Our Wise and Merciful Creator: Hallelujah!
Ikos 3
Having from your youth a strong desire to live a monastic life, to the search for the only thing needed, you directed your thoughts, the servant of Christ Simeon, the same love for the sake of Christ, having freed yourself from every vain addiction, you flowed to the same monastery. The blessed abbot of that monastery, foreseeing you to be God's chosen one, tested you in the past days, as if you wanted to work for the Lord, and count your brethren in the face. And we all honor you:
Rejoice, true listener of the commands of Christ;
Rejoice, beloved of the narrow path of salvation from youth;
Rejoice, you who have placed the yoke of the Lord on your neck;
Rejoice, thou who by cutting off the passions pleased God and was saved;
Rejoice, you who bound your will with sacred vows;
Rejoice, having given yourself and your whole life to the Lord;
Rejoice, you who serve zealously for the good of everyone;
Rejoice, pacifier of the sick and weak;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 4
Calming the storm of passions, like a meek lamb, you listened to your spiritual fathers and, for your humility, while still young, you were honored with the image of an angel, in which abstinence and labor aggravated, you put aside all carnal wisdom, reverend father, and like a well-skilled warrior, monastic clothing Having acquired the armor of salvation, and having armed yourself with the invincible weapon of the Cross of Christ, you fought vigorously against the invisible enemy the devil, conquering his exalted pride with deep humility, and cried out to the Lord: Hallelujah.
Ikos 4
Hearing the word of the Lord: “On whom will I look, only to the meek and humble, who trembles at My words,” you tried, more holy than Simeon, to adorn yourself with these virtues. For this reason, let us please you:
Rejoice, you who have rooted high virtues in your heart;
Rejoice, adorning your youth with the purity of your life;
Rejoice, you walked in the commandments of the Lord all the days of your life;
Rejoice, thou who hast acquired the wisdom of an old man from youth;
Rejoice, you who astonished the brethren with Job’s patience;
Rejoice, having contemplated your Lord with the purity of your heart;
Rejoice, dwelling sanctified by the Holy Spirit;
Rejoice in the image of God, not darkened in yourself;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 5
More God-loving than the brightest star, in the darkness of the vanity and troubles of this shining world, you truly appeared like us, our Reverend Father Simeon, for we strengthen you with grace-filled power, you have raised new and great struggles in the name of love for the Lord. For the sake of fear, as if the brethren, imitating you, will not accept the feats according to reason, command the abbot to leave them. But you, without malice, fulfilling his will, you settled in the desert in a waterless well, and there you brought forth angelic singing to Christ God: Hallelujah!
Ikos 5
Blessed Abbot Timothy saw a vision in a dream of a multitude of people coming to his monastery and asking about the Monk Simeon, and having arisen from sleep, he told this to the brethren. Abiye went with them into the desert and called upon you to return again and serve the people not only with prayer, but with a word to the wise. We honor your deeds, and we dutifully magnify you:
Rejoice, lamp of fragrant oil;
Rejoice, renew the old temples of our souls;
Rejoice, instruct young people in goodness and chastity,
Rejoice, strengthen the old not just with words, but rather with life,
Rejoice, gloriously granting family peace and harmony;
Rejoice, eradicate the evil customs and superstition of the pagans;
Rejoice, you have cast down the idols of our wisdom;
Rejoice, you taught us only to please Christ;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 6
The preacher of the true life in Christ Jesus appeared, the glorious Father Simon, gathering lukewarm people into the Church on earth. In it is the Tree of Life, the holy Altar of Reconciliation, which exudes life to the faithful. The Church is a spiritual hospital, the joy of those who rejoice, the consolation of those who are despondent. In the same way, you turned many to Christ the Giver of Life, singing in gratitude to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
You shone with the gifts of God's grace to all who came to you during the days of your earthly life, Reverend Our Father Simeon, and you were a reconciler of the warring, a healer of the suffering, a comforter of the sorrowing, a God-given conqueror of the elements of nature, and an immutable prayer book to the Creator throughout the world. We, believing that you, our patron saint, remain with us after death, humbly offer you this praise:
Rejoice, thou who hast walked in the footsteps of Christ in thy earthly path;
Rejoice, you who imitated Moses and Elijah by fasting;
Rejoice, having placed your trust in the Lord;
Rejoice, you have become like yourself through incorporeal abstinence;
Rejoice, you were illuminated with divine light;
Rejoice, for you also strengthen us faithful with your prayers;
Rejoice, thou who nourishes firm faith in the Providence of God in us;
Rejoice, thou who teachest the benevolent hand of God to see in all things;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 7
Although you would rather aggravate your exploits, as if you had ascended to the top of a mountain on a staircase leading to heaven: let you not descend from there, strengthen yourself on it with shackles, having listened to the words of Saint Meletius, captivating not the flesh, but the mind into Christ’s obedience, to the end of your life cried: Hallelujah!
Ikos 7
Having seen you again, God’s chosen one, who has abundantly acquired the gifts of grace to heal your soul and body, drive out evil spirits and give good things to everyone for salvation, people from afar flocked to you. You have emanated healing to those who come to you, and you have granted your good help to everyone in troubles, illnesses and sorrows and to those who come to you with hope. In the same way, we praise you with love, father, and cry out to you:
Rejoice, eagle, celestial in prayer;
Rejoice, dove, spiritual peace acquired;
Rejoice, servant of God, alive on earth for heaven;
Rejoice, vine of Christ, bring Him good fruits.
Rejoice, do not be lacking in your mercy towards us;
Rejoice, nourisher of those who hunger for righteousness;
Rejoice, prayer book for our souls;
Rejoice, I mediate for us heavenly and earthly blessings;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 8
You have created a strange life, O blessed one, always seeing how many people are coming to you, knowing how they honor and glorify you. Fleeing from glory, having loved humility, you were pleased to remain on the pillar on high and, like the degree of a ladder to the heavenly heights of the sunrise, and enduring the frost, and the rain, and the scorching heat, you unceasingly sang to the Lord: Hallelujah!
Ikos 8
Completely filled with obedience, when the holy desert fathers tortured you. Obeying their will, as the will of God, you tried to descend from your pillar to the earth, even seeing them, understanding that your deeds were from God and telling you to remain on your pillar without restraint. Then the enemy of the human race intended to tempt you: to appear in the form of an angel of light, but for a moment you did not understand, blessed one, the flattery of the enemy and with the sign of the honorable cross you defeated that deceit. Afterwards, you brought great repentance to the Lord, and for this we, having learned, praise you:
Rejoice, thou crowned with the helmet of salvation;
Rejoice, you who brought deep repentance to God;
Rejoice, having placed your hope in God’s mercy;
Rejoice, thou who repelled the flaming arrows of the evil one;
Rejoice, you who are armed with a sword through prayer;
Rejoice, conqueror of the enemy’s deceit;
Rejoice, armed with the power of the cross;
Rejoice, you who have consumed lies with the fire of truth;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 9
Every angelic nature was amazed at your great gift from above, for you showed immaterial life on earth, and you appeared in the flesh, as if incorporeal. For this reason, you have received the gift of miracles of creation from the Lord and mercy to suffering people God's prayers You have poured forth yours, You have strengthened many in the saving faith, teaching us to give thanks to the Eternal Lord for everything, singing to Him: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
The superstitious wisdom will not be able to explain the power of your miracles, which you performed for the glory of God and in the wonderful name of the Lord. For you have acquired miraculous power through the grace of the wondrous God in your saints, O Reverend Father Simeon, by your high life according to the commandments of the Lord. The source and foundation of the gift of miracles is the grace and love of God, pouring out on you through prayer, integrity and purity of your heart, most blessed. And many people were healed at your pillar by your holy prayers. We, remembering the great miracles of God, in whose image even now you have not become impoverished, with joy we bring you such praises:
Rejoice, turning all your thoughts to the Lord;
Rejoice, you who love your neighbors as much as yourself;
Rejoice, you who made the heavens rejoice through your life;
Rejoice, amazing wonders of the universe;
Rejoice, our helper and prayer book;
Rejoice, protector from the temptations of the enemy;
Rejoice, for through you our passions are quenched;
Rejoice, for through you our good desires are fulfilled.
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 10
Although you could save sinners and call them to repentance, you followed the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ and, having fled under your roof to the thief Jonathan, you did not betray him to those who wanted to kill him, but seeing his great repentance, you reconciled him with the Lord, so that he, too, could improve the bliss of heaven, in eternity he praised the All-Generous Man-lover God with a song of gratitude: Hallelujah!
Ikos 10
You were a faithful servant of the Heavenly King and Lord, and a much-merciful father and mentor to your spiritual children. Many people, both faithful and unfaithful, came to you, and you appeared to everyone as a good and merciful helper, healing all kinds of mental and physical illnesses, and especially the unbelievers with the light of the Gospel of Christ. We ask you this: strengthen our weak faith, join those who are lukewarm and of little faith to Christ and His Church, and graciously accept this magnification:
Rejoice, chosen servant of God the Father without beginning;
Rejoice, courageous confessor of the Lamb of God;
Rejoice, Church not made by hands of the All-Holy Spirit of God;
Rejoice, the honorable One of the Most Holy Trinity was also praised;
Rejoice, resting in the unevening days of the Kingdom of God;
Rejoice, thou who singest the thrice-holy hymn with the cherubim and the angels and with all the saints;
Rejoice, for you have been a shining light in the heavenly Kingdom of the Sun of Truth;
Rejoice, you who enlighten all who honor your memory with the light of your grace;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 11
We offer tender singing with hope to you, our holy father Simeon, and we ask you: for us and our neighbors, wandering on the sea of passionate life of this given to you from the Sun of Truth of Christ Jesus, the true God, illuminate with grace and transform our nature darkened by sins, the darkness of sorrows and drive away the darkness of all ailments and sorrows, instruct all those who come to you with faith on the saved path leading to the eternal Heavenly Fatherland, so that together with you we may be worthy to sing to the Lord forever: Hallelujah.
Ikos 11
You truly appeared in the chosen vessel of Heavenly Light, when your time was ripe from this world to the village of your beloved and desire to pass away. Because you are inspired by unchanging hope and ardent faith, you gave up your holy soul in the hand of the Living God, Whom you loved from your youth, and Whom you worked unfeignedly until your venerable old age, and with good hope you joyfully went to the heavenly abode, where the Creator of the Universe himself crowned you with the crown of your incorruptible glory. For this reason, we ask you: do not forsake us sinners with your prayers favorable to the Lord, calling to you from the depths of your soul:
Rejoice, by your God-given power you destroy the deceit of the spirits of evil in high places;
Rejoice, thou who freest our houses, fields and livestock from destruction;
Rejoice, you who bless the labor of landowners from heaven;
Rejoice, you who drive away harmful nature from the plant world;
Rejoice, you who save crops and forests and everything that grows from destruction;
Rejoice, you who protect us from stumbling in our earthly journeys;
Rejoice, healing from the disease of wine drinking and other vain addictions;
Rejoice, grace-filled liberation from the burden of sorrows and anxieties;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 12
Ask for grace and mercy from the All-Holy Trinity, O Reverend Father Simeon, to all who honor you with love and reverence; take in our sighs, and do not despise our tender tears, do not abandon us, as you promised not to abandon either your pillar or the mountain you have chosen, and be the person who comes running to you for good deeds, preserved under your roof, and singing to the Lord about you: Hallelujah!
Ikos 12
Glorifying your life, blessed father, we glorify the All-Merciful Creator and Our Lord, for you have given to all those who seek salvation a great helper and a strong intercessor. To those who honor your holy memory, Reverend Simeon, grant us your firm hand of help and bring us back from the deadly depths with our sins, and bring the rest of our lives to an end in true repentance, as we cry out to you now with hope and love:
Rejoice, you who enjoy the sight of the Divine Light;
Rejoice, for ever Holy Trinity ahead;
Rejoice, for you continually send up prayers for us;
Rejoice, preacher of those who seek the Kingdom of Heaven and the saving path.
Rejoice, God-wise leader of those who seek the heavenly Jerusalem;
Rejoice, good helmsman overwhelmed by sinful passions;
Rejoice, patient teacher of the weak and unskilled.
Rejoice, favorable comforter to those who are exhausted from despondency and sorrow;
Rejoice, Simeon, wonderful pillar-bearer and great miracle worker!
Kontakion 13
O great and wonderful servant of God, Reverend Father Simeon! Now stand before the throne of God in ineffable glory and bring our petitions to the Lord, and accept this little prayer for us sinners, in this temporary life help us and graciously strengthen us, and in the future life of the heavenly abodes with your prayers we are vouchsafed to reach, as if Christ is with you. Let us cry out to Our Savior: Alielujah!
This Kontakion is spoken three times. And again Ikos 1st; and Kontakion 1st.
Prayers to Saint Simeon the Stylite
Prayer 1
O holy and great servant of God Simeon! Having fought a good fight on earth, you have received in heaven the crown of righteousness, which the Lord has prepared for all who love Him. Moreover, looking at your holy image, we rejoice over your glorious life and honor your blessed memory. You, standing before the throne of God, accept our prayers and bring them to the all-prayerful God.
Give shrines to the shepherds, reverence to the monks, and the gift of understanding to all of us, so that our overwhelmed Church may be strengthened in truth and humility. Most of all, grant us the oil of your mercy and compassion, so that we may learn to bear each other’s burdens and not please ourselves, but God and our neighbor for the good. Until now there is a time for buying and doing, we resort to you in rich mercy: give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out, so that we may not be counted with foolish virgins in the terrible hour, but together with you we will glorify the Lord Jesus Christ who suffered for us and who has compassion for us. Father and Holy Spirit forever, amen.
Prayer 2
Reverend Father Simeon! Look upon us mercifully and lead those who are devoted to the earth to the heights of heaven. You are a mountain in heaven, we are on earth below, removed from you, not only by place, but by our sins and iniquities, but we run to you and cry: teach us to walk in your way, enlighten us and guide us. Your entire holy life has been a mirror of every virtue. Do not stop, servant of God, crying to the Lord for us. By your intercession, ask from our All-Merciful God the peace of His Church, under the sign of the militant cross, agreement in faith and unity of wisdom, destruction of vanity and schism, confirmation in good deeds, healing for the sick, consolation for the sad, intercession for the offended, help for the needy. Do not disgrace us, who come to you with faith. All Orthodox Christians, having performed your miracles and beneficent mercies, confess you to be their patron and intercessor. Reveal your ancient mercies, and to whom you helped the Father, do not reject us, their children, who are marching towards you in their footsteps. Standing before your most honorable icon, as I live for you, we fall down and pray: accept our prayers and offer them up on the altar of God’s mercy, so that we may receive your grace and timely help in our needs. Strengthen our cowardice and confirm us in faith, so that we undoubtedly hope to receive all the good things from the mercy of the Master through your prayers. Oh, great servant of God! Help all of us who flow to you with faith through your intercession to the Lord, and guide us all in peace and repentance, end our lives and move with hope into the blessed bosom of Abraham, where you now rest joyfully in your labors and struggles, glorifying God with all the saints , in the Trinity glorified, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer 3
Oh, sacred head, reverend father, most blessed abbot Simeon, do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in your holy and auspicious prayers to God. Remember your flock, which you yourself shepherded, and do not forget to visit your children. Pray for us, holy father, for your spiritual children, as if you have boldness towards the Heavenly King, do not be silent for us to the Lord, and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love. Remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for you have been given the grace to pray for us. We do not imagine that you are dead, even though you have passed away from us in body, but even after death you remain alive. Do not give up on us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of the devil and the snares of the devil, our good shepherd. Even though your relics are always visible before our eyes, your holy soul with the angelic hosts, with the disembodied faces, with the heavenly powers, standing at the Almighty Throne, rejoices with dignity. Knowing that you are truly alive even after death, we bow down to you and pray to you: pray for us to Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven without restraint, from the bitter ordeals of the demons of the air princes and may we be delivered from eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous, who from all eternity have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ, to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever and ever. Amen.
Troparion
voice 1
Thou art a pillar of patience, jealous of the forefather, O Reverend One, to Job in passion, to Joseph in temptation, and to the disembodied, who art in the body, Simeon our Father, pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.
Kontakion
voice 2
Seek those above, copulate with those below, and make a chariot of fire a pillar of fire, you were the interlocutor of an angel, reverend, with them, praying to Christ God unceasingly for all of us.
Ikos
Simeon's immaculate life, which tongue of man prevails when to confess to praise? Moreover, I will sing, with God’s wisdom, of this noble giant’s suffering and deeds, even on earth, like a lamp appearing to all mankind, with much patience, shining in the face of angels, with them constantly singing to Christ, with abstinence the purity of the acquisition, praying unceasingly for all of us.
Saint Simeon was born within the borders of Syrian Antioch in the middle of the 4th century from poor parents. In his youth he tended his father's sheep. One day, coming to the temple, he heard the singing of the Beatitudes (Mt. 5:3-12), and a thirst for a righteous life arose in him. Simeon began to fervently pray to God and ask him to show him how to achieve true righteousness. Soon he dreamed that he was digging the ground as if for the foundation of a building. The voice told him: “Dig deeper.” Simeon began to dig harder. Considering the hole he had dug to be deep enough, he stopped, but the same voice commanded him to dig even deeper. The same command was repeated several times. Then Simeon began to dig non-stop until a mysterious voice stopped him with the words: “Enough! And now if you want to build, build by working diligently, because without labor you will not achieve success in anything.”
Having decided to become a monk, Saint Simeon left parents' house and accepted monasticism in a neighboring monastery. Here he spent some time in monastic deeds of prayer, fasting and obedience, and then for even greater deeds he retired to the Syrian desert. Here Saint Simeon laid the foundation for a new type of asceticism: “pillarism.” Having built a pillar several meters high, he settled on it and thereby deprived himself of the opportunity to lie down and rest. Standing day and night, like a candle in an upright position, he prayed and meditated on God almost continuously. In addition to the strictest abstinence from food, he voluntarily endured many hardships: rain, heat and cold. He ate soaked wheat and water, which good people brought him.
His extraordinary feat became known in many countries, and many visitors from Arabia, Persia, Armenia, Georgia, Italy, Spain and Britain began to flock to him. Seeing his extraordinary strength of spirit and listening to his inspired instructions, many pagans became convinced of the truth of the Christian faith and were baptized.
Saint Simeon was granted the gift of healing mental and physical illnesses and foresaw the future. Emperor Theodosius II the Younger (408-450) greatly respected the Monk Simeon and often followed his advice. When the emperor died, his widow Queen Eudokia was seduced into the Monophysite heresy. Monophysites did not recognize two natures in Christ - Divine and human, but only one Divine. The Monk Simeon brought the queen to reason, and she again became an Orthodox Christian. The new emperor Marcian (450-457), dressed as a commoner, secretly visited the monk and consulted with him. On the advice of the Monk Simeon, Marcian convened IV Ecumenical Council in 451, who condemned the false teachings of the Monophysites.
Saint Simeon lived for more than a hundred years and died during prayer in 459. His relics rested in Antioch. The Orthodox Church, in its service dedicated to Saint Simeon, calls him “a heavenly man, an earthly angel and a lamp of the universe.”
Prayer to St. Simeon the Stylite
O sacred head, reverend father, most blessed abbot Simeon! Do not forget your poor to the end, but always remember us in holy and auspicious prayers to God: remember your flock, which you yourself shepherded, and do not forget to visit your children, pray for us, holy father, for your spiritual children, for you have the boldness to To the Heavenly King: do not keep silent to the Lord for us, and do not despise us, who honor you with faith and love: remember us unworthy at the Throne of the Almighty, and do not stop praying for us to Christ God, for the grace has been given to you to pray for us. We do not imagine that you are dead: even though you have passed away from us in body, you remain alive even after death, do not depart from us in spirit, keeping us from the arrows of the enemy and all the charms of the demonic and the snares of the devil, our good shepherd. Even if your relics are always visible before our eyes, but your holy soul with the angelic hosts, with the disembodied faces, with the heavenly powers, standing at the throne of the Almighty, worthily rejoices, knowing that you are truly alive even after death, we fall down to you and We pray to you: pray for us to the Almighty God, for the benefit of our souls, and ask us time for repentance, so that we may pass from earth to heaven without restraint, from bitter ordeals, from demons of air princes and from eternal torment, may we be delivered from eternal torment, and may we be heirs of the Heavenly Kingdom with all the righteous, who from all eternity have pleased our Lord Jesus Christ: to Him belongs all glory, honor and worship, with His Beginning Father, and with His Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Troparion to St. Simeon the Stylite
Troparion, tone 1
Thou art a pillar of patience, jealous of the forefather, reverend: To Job in his passions, to Joseph in temptation, and to the disembodied life, who is in the body, Simeon, our father, pray to Christ God, that our souls may be saved.
The Lord created man in His image, rational and free. In addition, man is given the opportunity to acquire godlikeness. It lies in acquiring the ability to love: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him.”
All Christian morality and asceticism are directed towards one sole purpose- acquisition of divine love. The Lord Himself points to two pillars Christian life: “Love the Lord God with all your heart. And with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
However, in order to achieve this gift of grace, you need to work hard and cleanse your soul of sinful filth. Thousands of holy saints of God walked towards this goal, moving away from the bustle of the world into deserts and monasteries, indulging in severe deeds there. The Church honors these saints as “venerables,” i.e. who have achieved Godlikeness to the highest degree.
A striking example of fasting life is the life of St. Simeon the Stylite. Already in his youth, Saint Simeon felt a love for the solitary, ascetic life. First, he retired to a monastery, where he surpassed all the brothers with his exploits, and later he retired to the top of a mountain and there he spent time in fasting and prayer.
Soon the fame of the strict ascetic spread throughout the surrounding area and the place of holy solitude turned into a place of pilgrimage for many hundreds of sufferers. Not wanting to part with the solitude he loved so much, but at the same time, not wanting to leave the suffering without consolation, Saint Simeon, at the inspiration of God, decided to arrange for himself a new place of exploits. He built a pillar - a small tower, on top of which there was a cramped cell.
Standing on a pillar, the saint was in constant prayer, often making prostrations to the ground. The saint's food was extremely meager, and he ate only once a week, and during Great Lent he did not eat at all.
True Christian feat is always combined with the deep humility of the ascetic. The reverend’s humility manifested itself with particular force when ascetics from surrounding places came to him, who, having learned about Simeon’s unusual feat (after all, he became the first stylite), decided to test him. “Why,” they turned to the monk, “don’t you follow the path of our fathers, but have you invented another - a new one? Come down from the pillar and follow the life of the ancient hermits.”
As soon as the Monk Simeon heard these words, he immediately began to descend from the pillar. But the hermits hastened to stop him: “No, do not go, holy father, but remain on the pillar: now we know that the work you have begun is from God.”
Soon the monk had to undergo a much more difficult test. The enemy of our salvation, the devil, jealous of the ascetic’s grace-filled gifts, decided to seduce him. The spirit of seduction appeared to the ascetic in the form of a bright angel on a fiery chariot and said: “The God of heaven and earth sent me to you so that I could take you to heaven.” "God! Do you want to take me, a sinner, to heaven? - the ascetic was surprised, and was about to step onto the chariot, but at the last moment he made the sign of the cross.
Immediately the demonic vision evaporated, and the Monk Simeon realized from what danger the Lord had saved him. Wanting to atone for his sin, he whole year stood on one right leg, with which he wanted to step on the demonic chariot.
The Lord glorified His saint with the gift of prophecy and miracles. Many pagans who came to the monk, after a conversation with him, renounced their delusions. Through the prayers of the saint, the Lord performed many miraculous healings. However, the humble servant of Christ always said to those who were healed: “Glorify the Lord, who gave you healing, and do not at all dare to say that Simeon healed you.”
The life of St. Simeon became a vivid image of man’s aspiration to heaven. Truly he appeared “an earthly angel and a heavenly man,” standing on his pillar like a candle on a candlestick, burning with love for God and neighbor.
I. Saint Simeon was taken from his mother’s womb by the Lord, and he was preparing to follow God and be pleasing to Him. His father was a man named Susocion. And Simeon’s parents raised him. When he was thirteen years old, he was one day tending his father’s sheep, and he saw a church, and, leaving the cattle to graze, he entered it and heard the Apostle being read there. And he asked one elder: “Sir, what is this, what are they reading about here?” And the elder answered him: “About the essence of the soul, so that a person learns to fear God with all his heart and with all his soul.” And then blessed Simeon asked: “What does it mean to fear God?” And the elder said to him: “Why do you demand this of me, son?” And he answered: “I ask you as if I were God. For I wish to learn what I hear from you, since I am foolish and ignorant.” And the man answered him: “If anyone fasts and begins to perform solemn prayers, and places himself lower than other people, and he loves neither gold, nor parents, nor clothes, nor possessions, and will honor his father and mother, and will follow priests of God, he will inherit the eternal kingdom; the one who, on the contrary, does not observe this will inherit outer darkness, which the Lord has prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 22:25). All this, son, accumulates in monastic life.” Hearing this, blessed Simeon fell at his feet, saying: “You are my father and my mother, the teacher of good deeds, the guide to the kingdom of heaven. You have acquired my soul, which I had already cast into destruction; the Lord will give it to you in exchange for my soul. This, it turns out, is what they teach here. Without delay, I will go, as you said, to the monastery, for the Lord willed so. And may His will be done with me.” And the elder said to him: “Son! Before you enter the monastery, listen to what I say. You will find many torments, for you will need to watch and serve, deprived of everything, and you will constantly have to endure various evil deeds. So, I repeat, you should strengthen yourself, a vessel precious to the Lord.”
II. Leaving the church, blessed Simeon immediately went to the monastery of a wonderful man, Saint Timothy, and, approaching the gates of the monastery, he lay prostrate for five days, not eating either water or food. On the fifth day, Abbot Timofey left the monastery and asked him this way: “Where are you from, son? And who are your parents, about whom you are so sad? And what's your name? Or maybe you did something bad, or maybe you were a slave and ran away from your master?” Then blessed Simeon, with tears in his eyes, answers him: “No, no, sir, but with all my soul I desire to become a servant of God, if He allows, for I want to save my soul from destruction. Order me to enter the monastery and serve everyone there, do not allow me to remain outside it any longer.” Then, taking him by the hand, the abbot led him into the monastery and said to the brothers: “My children, I hand over this brother to you, teach him the rules of monastic life.” Simeon spent four months in the monastery, unquestioningly serving everyone and everyone. From the brethren he learned the Psalter by heart and ate divine food every day. He secretly distributed the same food that he ate with his brethren to the poor, not caring about tomorrow. The brothers ate in the evening, and he ate on the seventh day.
III. One day he went to the well to drink water, took a rope from the ladle with which they drew water, wrapped it all over himself from his loins to his neck, and, coming to his brothers, he said to them: “I went out to drink water and did not find the rope from the ladle.” And they answer: “Keep quiet, brother, lest the abbot accidentally finds out about this. Let some time pass.” His body, because it was tied with a barbed rope, festered, for it cut his flesh to the bones. And she crashed into him so much that she was barely visible. But one day some brothers came outside and saw him giving his food to the poor. Returning, they said to the abbot: “Where did you bring this man to us from? We cannot abstain from food as he did; After all, he fasts from resurrection to resurrection and distributes the food he receives to the poor; Moreover, a very bad stench emanates from his body, so that no one can stand near him. And when he walks, worms fall off him, and his bed is also full of worms.” Then the abbot went outside and saw that everything was as they had said. And he turned to Simeon: “Son, what did your brothers tell me about you? Isn't it right for you to fast the way we do? Or have you not heard the Gospels, where they talk about the teacher? (Matt 10:24) that there is no student above the teacher; and will he be perfect in everything if his teacher is also perfect? And tell me, son, where does this stench come from?” But Saint Simeon stood without saying a word. Then the abbot, angry, ordered him to undress and they all saw a rope twisted around the body. And the abbot exclaimed in a loud voice: “Where did this man come to us, who wanted to destroy the monastic rules? I ask you to leave and continue to do what you want.” But despite this, with great care and diligence they removed from his body this rope with which he had wrapped himself, and with it pieces of rotten flesh also fell off. Having done this, they carefully looked after him and healed him.
IV. Having recovered after this incident, he left the monastery and no one knew about it. And he came to an empty well, in which there was no water (and it was located not far from the monastery) and where unclean spirits lived. And that same night the abbot had a vision of how many people surrounded his monastery, in their hands they held sticks and swords, and they said: “O Timothy, give us the servant of God Simeon. If you do not do this, then we will burn you along with your monastery, for you have denigrated a righteous man.” Rising from sleep, the abbot said this to the brethren: “My children, I had a vision and I am very concerned about it.” The next night he saw a great crowd of people surrounding him even more and saying: “Give us the servant of God Simeon, for God and the angels loved him. Why did you insult him? You are great before God, but all the angels grieve for him. The Lord placed him higher in this world, so that through him many miracles could be revealed that no one had ever done.” Then the abbot rose from sleep and with great fear turned to the brethren: “Find me this man and bring him here, so that we all do not die because of him. For he is truly a saint of God; I saw a great miracle and heard extraordinary things about it.” Then all the monks went to look for him, and they examined the entire area, but did not find him and returned to the abbot, saying: “We did not leave a single place uninspected, but we did not find him anywhere; unless he may be at an empty well.” The abbot answered them: “I ask you, brothers, go and find him, I will also go with you, for truly he is a saint and a servant of God.” Taking five of them with him, he went to the well. Blessed Simeon, seeing him, asked this: “I ask you, servants of God, leave me for one hour, so that my spirit may return, for he, unassuming, is near death. My soul was greatly tormented, because I had embittered the Lord.” Then the abbot turned to him: “Come, servant of God, and we will take you to the monastery, for I have learned about you that you are a servant of God.” Simeon did not want this, but they took him to the monastery by force and there they all prostrated themselves at his feet, crying and saying: “We have sinned before you, servant of God, forgive us.” Blessed Simeon sighed and said: “Why are you multiplying the number of sinners and wicked people? You are God’s servants and Fathers.” And he remained there for another year.
V. After this period, he secretly withdrew from the monastery, where he spent a lot of time, and, going not far from it, he built himself a shelter out of solid stone, where he spent three years, and many people came to him with prayers. Then he built a pillar of four cubits and stood there for four years. His fame spread throughout all corners of the earth, and they built a pillar for him twelve cubits high, and he stood on it for twelve years. Again they built him a pillar of twenty cubits, and he stood on it for twelve years. Then all the inhabitants of that place gathered and erected two basilicas and a pillar of thirty cubits near the pillar itself, and it began to work miracles. Many paralytic people came to him, possessed by demons, and he healed them: the blind received their sight, the hands of the paralytic were restored, and the lepers were cured of leprosy. And many peoples turned to the Christian faith, namely the Saracens, Persians, Armacenes, Laotians, as well as allophiles. Those who heard about him and his miracles gathered and praised him.
VI. Then the evil devil took the form of an angel and appeared in radiance on a fiery horse. And near the pillar where blessed Simeon stood, a fiery chariot appeared and the devil appeared in brilliance and radiance, like an angel of light. And then the devil uttered these kind words: “Listen, Simeon, to what the Lord ordered me to tell you. He sent me, His angel, in a chariot and on a horse of fire, so that I would lift you up, as I lifted up Elijah (2 Kings 2). For your time has come. Ride with me in a chariot, for the Lord of heaven and earth has sent it. Ascend with me to heaven, so that the angels and archangels may see you with Mary, the Mother of God, with the apostles and martyrs, confessors and prophets, so that they may rejoice when they see you praying to the Lord, who created you in His image. So I’m telling you, let’s go without delay.” Having listened to the speech to the end, Simeon asked: “Lord, do you want to take me a sinner to heaven?” And, raising his right leg to climb onto the cart, he lifted and right hand, and made the sign of the cross. As soon as he overshadowed himself with the sign of the cross, the devil could no longer remain in this place and he disappeared along with all his persuasion, like dust in the face of the wind. It was then that Simeon realized that all this was the devil’s tricks.
VII. Having come to his senses, he said to his foot: “You will not return back, but you will stand here until my death, until the Lord calls me, a sinner.” Meanwhile, during the cold season, the devil inflicted a wound on his thigh, and it rotted so badly that many worms began to erupt from it, which descended along his body, from his leg to the pillar, and from there to the ground. And for a whole year he stood on one leg. Next to him stood a certain young man named Anthony, who saw and heard all this. He, on his orders, picked up the worms that fell to the ground and handed them up to the saint. And he again put them into his wound, as if righteous Job saying, “Eat what the Lord has given you.”
VIII. The king of the Saracens, Basil, also learned about his glory, and he came to him. The king saw that he was standing at the top and praying, and he saw a worm fall out of his body. The king hastily, with prayer, caught it and placed it on his eyes. Seeing the king, the saint said: “Why did you do this, most worthy man, this is a worm from my rotten body.” Hearing this, King Basil opened his palm and found a most precious pearl in it. And he said to blessed Simeon: “This is not a rotten worm, but a priceless pearl,” and he answered him: “Man, according to your faith it has been given to you and blessedly be in your hands all the days of your life.” So the man went, filled with faith.
IX. Much time passed, and then the glory of his exploits reached Simeon’s mother, and she came to see him. But she was not allowed to do this, because the place was closed to women. When blessed Simeon heard the voice of his mother, he said to her: “Wait, mother, a little more time and, if God wishes, we will see each other soon.” She, having heard this, began to cry and ask to be allowed to see him, and, letting down her hair, exclaimed, turning to him: “Why are you doing this, son? You cause pain to the womb that carried you; instead of the milk with which I fed you, you gave me tears; instead of the joy of lips kissing you, you gave me bitter melancholy of my heart; instead of the pain and labors that I endured, you sentenced me to even more severe trials.” And so she said that we all started crying. Blessed Simeon heard the words of his mother and, covering his face with his hands, he wept bitterly for love, and said to her: “My lady mother, be patient a little and we will see you in eternal peace.” And she began to speak like this: “By Christ, who created you, I beg you, if there is such an opportunity to see you, who have been away from me for so long, let me see your appearance; if not, then let me at least hear your voice and I will die right there, for your father also died, grieving immensely for you. So don’t destroy me in the same sorrow, son.” Having said this, she fell asleep from grief and crying, for for three days and three nights she incessantly begged him. Then blessed Simeon prayed to the Lord for her, and her soul immediately returned to her. Those gathered brought her body before his eyes. And he, crying, said: “May the Lord receive you in joy, for you suffered because of me, and carried me in your womb for nine months, and fed me with milk, and nourished me from your labors.” When he said all this, we saw how the mother’s face became covered with sweat, and her body moved. He, turning his eyes to grief, continued: “The Lord God, mighty, who sits above the cherubim and explores the foundation of the abyss, who knew Adam even before he was born, who promised those who worshiped him the treasures of the kingdom of heaven, who spoke with Moses in the burning bush (Ref. 3) Who blessed Abraham our father (Genesis 22) Who brought the souls of the righteous into paradise, and plunged the souls of the wicked into destruction, Who pacified two lions and for Your servants coped with the danger that threatened from the Chaldeans (Dan 6) Whom Elijah was afraid of when the ravens brought him food (1 Kings 17), accept her soul in peace and take her to the places of the holy fathers, for You have strength forever and ever.”
X. After this, they again built a pillar for him, forty cubits in height, and he stood on it for sixteen years until his death. At that time, in the northern lands, where even grass did not grow, not very far from those places lived a dragon of extraordinary size, and a tree hit him in his right eye. And so, one day this crooked dragon came and, hobbling, settled down at the dwelling where this man of God spent time. There he curled up in a ring and, as if asking, began to shake his low bowed head. When blessed Simeon saw him, he immediately removed a stick the size of an elbow from his eye. Everyone who saw this praised God, but out of fear they ran away from there. But this beast, curled up, lay motionless in one place until all the people walked around it. Afterwards, he got up, bowed for almost two hours, standing at the entrance to the monastery, and then returned to his home, without causing harm to anyone.
XI. One woman wanted to drink water at night and she followed her to a hydria, in which there was a small snake. And when she drank the water, she swallowed it, and a snake entered her belly. And many doctors, spellcasters, magicians, carefully examining her, could not do anything. After some time, she was brought to Saint Simeon. He ordered to lay her on the ground and pour water from the monastery well into her mouth. The woman screamed loudly, and immediately a snake came out of her mouth, and it was three cubits long. At that same moment, the snake itself, which had been inside her, according to many testimonies, hissed for seven whole days. And from that time on, the woman regained health.
XII. It is unlikely that even the most eloquent person will have the strength to list all his deeds, however, I cannot completely remain silent about them. It so happened that there was no water in that place and all the people began to suffer, and even the animals did not have enough to drink. Seeing their broken state, Saint Simeon went out to pray. And at about ten o'clock in the afternoon the earth suddenly split apart and a great abyss opened up on the eastern side of this monastery; and they found there something like a cave, in which there was an incalculable amount of water. Then Simeon ordered the people to dig another seven cubits of ground, and from that time on there was an abundance of water in that place, which we see to this day. Once, some people waited a long time for his prayers and deeds, and at midday, due to the heat, they dispersed and sat down in the shade of a tree, wanting to rest. So they sat, and suddenly a pregnant deer suddenly appeared in front of them and began to walk back and forth. And they said to her: “By the prayer of Saint Simeon we conjure you, stand still, and we will catch you.” She immediately stopped. They grabbed her, killed her and ate some of the meat. And immediately they were speechless and began to walk just as that deer walked. Then they hastened to Saint Simeon and came to him, carrying with them the skin of a deer, and they stayed there for two years and were barely able to regain their health. It's hard to talk to me about their sin. They hung the deer skin there as a warning to many.
XIII. There was a leopard of extraordinary size in that place; He killed both people and animals, and in this way he devastated the entire region. And the inhabitants of those regions came to Saint Simeon and told him that this leopard had committed so many atrocities. Then Saint Simeon ordered that the land be sprinkled with water from the monastery or a handful of monastery soil scattered there. And they did so. Having then gone in search, they found this leopard on the ground, dead, and they all glorified God Simeon.
XIV. When he treated someone, he addressed this person with the following instructions: “Go,” he said, “to your home, and give honor to the Lord who healed you, and do not consider that it was Simeon who healed you, so that suddenly nothing worse has happened to you yet; and do not swear presumptuously in the name of the Lord, for then you will sin grievously, but swear - whether fairly or unfairly - only by me, an unworthy sinner.” That is why all Easterners and all barbarian peoples swear by his name.
XV. There lived in Antioch a certain robber whose name was Jonathan, and he committed many atrocities. When they began to pursue him and he was unable to hide from his persecutors, becoming like a lion running from the face of those pursuing him, he came to the monastery and, grasping the pillar of St. Simeon, began to weep sadly. And the saint says to him: “Who are you? And where did you come from, man, and why did you come here?” And he answers: “My name is Jonathan the robber. I have committed a lot of evil and now I have come here to repent.” And then Saint Simeon said to him: “To such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14). But you, of course, want me to test you, so that you do not find a way back to those crimes from which you turned away.” After he said this, officials came to Antioch and said: “Give us this evil wicked Jonathan, so that he does not stir up unrest in the city. The animals are already ready to devour him.” Blessed Simeon answered them: “My children, it was not I who brought him here, for the One who brought him is greater than all of us, and He comes to the aid of such people, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And if you can get in, take it. But I cannot do this, for I fear the One who sent him to me.” Having heard all this, these men withdrew with great fear and told all Antioch about what had happened. Jonathan the robber, having wept for seven days at the pillar, said to blessed Simeon: “I want, sir, with your permission, to leave.” And the righteous man answered him: “Do you want to go to your atrocities?” “No, sir,” Jonathan answered him, “but my time is over.” And having said this, he gave up his spirit. And when they wanted to bury him near the monastery, other officials came to them from Antioch and they began to shout loudly: “Give us our enemy, for because of him the whole city is seething.” Simeon answered the speaker: “The One who brought him came Himself with a multitude of the heavenly army, and He can bring down your city with all those living with it into Tartarus, and He brought it closer to Himself. I myself was afraid that He would kill me right there. So don’t bother me, a pathetic beggar.” And they withdrew in fear and informed everyone about what they had seen and what they had heard.
XVI. Several years passed, and then the sixth day came, and he began to pray and prayed for three days, that is, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Then I, trembling with fear, went up to him and stood in front of him, and turned to him: “Arise, sir, bless us, for people have been waiting for your blessing for three days and three nights.” And he didn’t answer me. And again I said to him: “Why are you saddening me, sir, what don’t you like? I beg you, extend your hand to me, or maybe you have already left us?” And, seeing that he did not speak to me, I decided not to say another word, for I was afraid to touch him. And I stood like that for almost half an hour and I bent down and put my ear to listen, but I did not hear breathing, except perhaps the smell of many aromas emanating from his body, and then I realized that he rested in the Lord. And, almost losing consciousness, I cried bitterly. And, bending down, I kissed his eyes, and his beard, and the hair on his head. And, crying out, I said: “To whom are you leaving me, sir? And where will I find your angelic teaching? What can I say for you? And whose soul will this pillar take without you, and will it not grieve? What will I say to those who are unsteady in the faith when they come here and look for you and do not find you? What will I say and what will I talk about with ordinary people? Today I see you, but tomorrow I look to the right, look to the left and don’t see you? And with what cover will I shroud your pillar? Woe to me, for those who want to see you will come from afar, but you are not there!” And then, tired of grief, I fell into sleep. And immediately the saint appeared to me and said this: “No, I did not leave this pillar, nor this place and this blessed mountain, in which I shone. However, go down and calm the people and report me secretly to Antioch, so that indignation does not flare up among the people. I rest as the Lord wished. Do not hesitate to begin to rule in this place, for the Lord will reward you in heaven.” Rising from sleep, I said in fear: “Lord, remember me in the tranquility of your holiness.” And lifting his clothes, I bowed down at his feet and kissed the soles of his feet. And holding his hand, I laid it on my eyes, saying at the same time: “Bless, I ask you, my lord.” And I cried and said: “What will remain of you as a keepsake for me?” When I said this, his body moved; I was afraid to touch him.
XVII. And so that no one would know, I quickly went down and sent a faithful brother to the bishop in Antioch. He quickly returned with three bishops, and with them was the master militum Ardabogius and his people, and they set up a curtain around the pillar of the saint and placed their clothes there. And they had gold on them. And they laid it at the altar in front of the pillar, and they gathered there, and birds flew over that place. They screamed and seemed to mourn Simeon, so everyone saw it. The bitter cry of the people and the roar of the animals could be heard for as much as seven miles. And the mountains, and fields, and trees around that place indulged in extraordinary sorrow. A thundercloud even appeared in the area. I thought that an Angel would come to look at him. Around the seventh hour, the seven elders talked with an angel whose facial features radiated radiance and whose clothes were white as snow. And I listened to his voice in fear and trembling for as long as I could listen to it; but who it was, I don’t know.
XVIII. When Simeon was laid on the funeral bier, the Pope of Antioch wanted to take at least one hair from his beard for a blessing, and he extended his hand, and immediately it withered. And many public prayers were performed for him, and only in this way was his hand brought back to life.
XIX. So, placing the body on a stretcher, singing psalms and hymns, they carried it to Antioch. Nevertheless, the people who lived around these places wept sadly, because the relics that had so protected them were taken away from them, and also because the bishop of Antioch ordered no one to touch his body.
XX. Having walked a fifth mile from Antioch, they entered a village called Meroe, and there no one could move his body. Then one man, who had been deaf and dumb for forty years, quickly fell in front of the stretcher and immediately began to say: “You have come well, servant of God,” he exclaimed, “for your ashes healed me. And if I have been honored to live, then I will serve you all the days of my life.” And he got up, and took one of the horses that was carrying the stretcher, and immediately left that place. And so from that hour this man was healed. This was his sin. He loved someone else's wife and wanted to seduce her, but could not do it. She died and her body was placed in a tomb. He came and destroyed her grave, and at the same moment he became deaf and dumb and was tied to that place for forty years.
XXI. Then everyone left the city of Antioch and, supporting the body of Saint Simeon over gold and silver, with psalms and hymns, in the radiance of many lamps, they carried him to the main church, and from there to another, which is called Repentance. There were many miracles over his grave, even more than during his life. The man who regained his health served there until the day of his death. Many brought treasures to the Bishop of Antioch, by faith, asking for part of the relics of the saint’s body, but he, because of an oath, did not give them to anyone.
I, the insignificant sinner Anthony, compiled, as best as I could, this short story. Blessed is the one who takes this description in the form of a book and reads it in church and in the house of God. And whoever creates memory for him, he will receive a reward from the Highest.
Translation from Latin by M. Timofeev
Armacenes, Laotians, allophiles: Armacenes are either Armenians or residents of the city of Armak in Cappadocia; Laotians and allophiles - the identification is unclear.
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