#MastersofSocialIsolation #15. Some of the early desert ascetics practiced a form of extreme social distancing. St. Simeon Styletes maintained a solitary witness atop a stylos (Greek), or pillar.
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Originally, hoping to achieve the blessed happiness outlined in the Beatitudes he had entered a monastery. But he was afflicted by crowds of pilgrims who sought his blessing or hoped he could cure their illnesses. His solution: a pillar 9-ft tall, six in diameter on top.
He replaced this in time with new pillars of ever-ascending height, the final one: 50 feet. Simeon could be seen standing in prayer. Crowds traveled to witness this spectacle. Simeon would offer exhortations to charity and justice.
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At one point a bishop, suspecting vainglory, exhorted him to quit his tower and descend. But when Simeon showed that he was willing humbly to obey, he urged him to carry on with his singular witness. Simeon died on his perch on September 2, 459.
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Of course it took a village to sustain a solitary like Simeon. But he set an edifying example that encouraged others in their love of God and neighbor .
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