monasticism: simeon the pillar-dweller

Monasticism: Simeon the Pillar-Dweller

1. Monastic anecdotes.2. Spiritual warfare: five stages

of sin.3. Goals of monastic life.4. Simeon the Stylite.5. Functions of holy man.

Simeon the Pillar-Dweller (389-459).

Spiritual warfare: five stages of sin

1. Provocation2. Coupling3. Assent4. Captivity5. Habit

Goals of monastic life

1. Purity of heart2. Ceaseless prayer 3. Life according to the

Beatitudes4. Self-mastery.5. Imitation of Christ6. Final goal: eternal life

Ladder of Divine Assent: John Climachus

Remains of the pillar of St Simeon the Younger

Qala’at Semaan about 60 miles East from Antioch

St Simeon’s whereabouts

Simeon surrounded by visitors

Simeon and his disciple Daniel

The function of the holy man in Late Antiquity

• Miracle-worker • Patron and protector• Mediator between heaven and earth• Intercessor who stands outside social relations

Saints in the imagination of their contemporaries

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