Simeon Stylites, St.

The saint stands atop a high pillar with a staircase at the basement, his right hand is blessing and his left hand holds a scroll. The lower part of his figure is hidden behind a hexagonal parapet resembling the real fencing surrounding a small platform on the top of the pillar – the place of life and exploits of the stylites.

Simeon Stylites

The monastic exploit of Simeon the Elder from Antiochia, Syria, who spent his life atop a column in prayer was known by Eastern Christians since the 4^th century AD. In his lifetime he was known as a wonderworker and ascetic who denied himself of food and sleep. The icon portrays St. Simeon full-length wearing monastic clothes. His right hand is raised in a benedictory gesture, in his left he holds a scroll.