Symeon Stylites the Younger
Symeon Stylites the Younger (in the Orthodox tradition also Greek Symeon Thaumaturgos: Symeon the miracle worker ) (* 521 in Antioch on the Orontes ; † 24 May 592 ibid) was a Syrian pillar saint of the 6th century.
Life
The Legend of Symeon lost by an earthquake early his father, who from the Mesopotamian city of Edessa came. His mother, who was later canonized, was called Martha. The half-orphan was placed in a monastery at an early age. At the age of six, he went to the desert under the guidance of Johannes Stylites. There both of them imitated the example of the first column saint, Symeon Stylites the Elder, and sat down on columns in order to be able to better resist demonic temptations. At the age of twelve years Symeon was the Patriarch of Antioch for deacon ordained. Eight years after starting life as a pillar saint, Symeon's teacher John died.
In 547, Symeon sought out the Mount of Miracles at the site of today's monastery of Symeon Stylites the Younger and settled there on a higher column. He was ordained priest in the year 554 while sitting on this column. After numerous students of Symeon had settled around the column, the monastery was finally founded, which Symeon's mother financially supported. In 566 Symeon mounted his third pillar at the same place.
Symeon became the target of lively pilgrimages, even over long distances, as far as Georgia. Numerous healings from the sick have been handed down. In addition, Symeon's letters (to the Roman emperors Justinian I and Justin II, among others ), sermons and hymns are attributed. In different traditions there are different statements about the number of columns inhabited by Symeon. Important traditions about Symeon Stylites the Younger and about his mother come from Euagrios of Antioch and Nikephoros of Antioch . In addition, there is a fragmentary work by an Arcadius.
Adoration
The pilgrimage to the monastery of Symeon Stylites the Younger continued after the saint's death. It did not end until the 13th century when the Seljuks took over the region.
Today, May 24th is the feast day of Symeon Stylites the Younger in the Roman Catholic , Orthodox and Coptic Churches. The Armenian Apostolic Church especially venerates him on May 26th. Some of today's hymns in the Orthodox Church are traced back to Symeon.
The name of today's Turkish city Samandağ , near the monastery and the column of Symeon Stylites the Younger, goes back to the saint.
literature
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Symeon Stylites the Younger |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Symeon Thaumaturgos (Greek) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Syrian pillar saint |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 521 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Antioch on the Orontes |
| DATE OF DEATH | May 24, 592 |
| Place of death | Antioch on the Orontes |