stylite
Sign in to savethumb|Icon of Simeon Stylites the Elder with [[Simeon Stylites the Younger. Simeon the Elder appears to be shown at the left stepping down from his pillar in obedience to the monastic elders; the image may also reference a point in his life when, due to an ulcerous leg, he was forced to stand atop his pillar on one leg only.At right is represented Simeon Stylites the Younger (also known as "St. Simeon of the Admirable Mountain").]
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Ascetic precedents
- Simeon Stylites and his contemporaries
- Other stylites
- Popular culture
- Fiction
- References
- See also
- Sources
- Further reading
thumb|Icon of Simeon Stylites the Elder with [[Simeon Stylites the Younger. Simeon the Elder appears to be shown at the left stepping down from his pillar in obedience to the monastic elders; the image may also reference a point in his life when, due to an ulcerous leg, he was forced to stand atop his pillar on one leg only.At right is represented Simeon Stylites the Younger (also known as "St. Simeon of the Admirable Mountain").]
A stylite ( () "pillar dweller", derived from () "pillar" and () or pillar-saint is a type of Christian ascetic who lives on pillars, preaching, fasting and praying. Stylites believe that the mortification of their bodies would help ensure the salvation of their souls. Stylites were common in the early days of the Byzantine Empire. The first known stylite was Simeon Stylites the Elder who climbed a pillar in Syria in 423 CE and remained there until his death 36 years later.