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#69054 02/18/05 10:00 AM
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Does anyone know any good books or resources on the life & importance of the 4th century Saint Simeon Stylites who famously stood on top of a pillar for 40 years in Syria?

I found a great Internet text by George Lamb http://www.cin.org/saints/stylites.html and a funny film by Spanish film director Louis Bunuel but little else.

I'm really interested in Simeon. He appears to be the antithesis to the modern overemphasis on always having to do something in order to justify one's existence. Simeon did nothing but prayer on his pillar but appeared happy with who he was. Do you know of any good resources that explore this idea in general? I know Ecclesiastes explores this theme quite a bit - i.e.man trying to find meaning in vain through relentless activity.
thanks - LEO

#69055 02/18/05 10:33 AM
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An icon and an excerpt from the Synaxarion of Simona Petra can be found at http://www.saintbarbara.org/about/icons/symeon.cfm

You might also be interested in St. Daniel the Stylite: http://www.saintbarbara.org/about/icons/daniel.cfm

If you can get a copy of Ecclesiastical History by Evagrius he discusses St. Symeon. There is also a Life of Symeon Stylites written by Theodoret (as I recall that is contained in his History of the Monks of Syria .

#69056 02/21/05 07:25 AM
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Many thanks Diak. I've checked out all your links & they proved very useful : )

What do you think the stylites have to say to the contemporary world? Something about endurance? The importance of being still???

Your opinion would be much appreciated -
leao

#69057 02/21/05 12:36 PM
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In today's society, they would be greatly akin to spiritual Don Quixotes. smile

But I would also say the manifestations of the true "fool for Christ" or "jurodivy" spirit is not limited to the Stylites, by any means.

#69058 02/24/05 02:18 AM
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Leao,

The Canon to Saint Symeon Stylites [web.ukonline.co.uk] is on the website of the Monastery of Saint Andrew the First-Called in Manchester.

Many years,

Neil


"One day all our ethnic traits ... will have disappeared. Time itself is seeing to this. And so we can not think of our communities as ethnic parishes, ... unless we wish to assure the death of our community."
#69059 02/25/05 10:56 AM
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I've just made a short animation based upon St Simeon. What fascinates me most about him is that his rejection of the world reminds me of the Biblical theme that 'everything is meaningless' (Ecclesiastes 1). Simeon in this animation is based in the modern day and lives on top of a tower block.

Click here to view the anime! [leoearle.com]
It is a work in progress at the mo. Tell me what you think of it on this message board please

Leao
[Linked Image]
click here for an interesting article on St Simeon [cin.org]

#69060 02/25/05 11:03 AM
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Leao, MANY many thanks for sharing this incredible gift of yours with us! I enjoyed it so very much. May the Lord use your talents to the max for His glory and for the spread of the Good News!

Your poor brother in the Lord,
+Fr. Gregory


+Father Archimandrite Gregory, who asks for your holy prayers!
#69061 02/25/05 12:15 PM
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Dear Friends,

The icon of All SAints of Rus' published by Jordanville has two Pillar Saints ("Stolpnik"), namely, St Cyril of Turiv and St Daniel Pereyaslavsky.

They were "Pillar-dwellers" as saints and this is how they were "classified."

There are many others, such as "Veryhy" or "chain-bearers" of which St Herman of Alaska was one - his paraman and cross were made of iron and weighed almost a hundred pounds . . . They are on display in Alaska at his Shrine.

Alex

#69062 03/16/05 03:56 PM
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I've redone the St Simeon anime quite a bit... please take a look at http://www.leoearle.com/simeon/ .
many thanks

Leo


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