PILLAR SAINTS—called also " STYLITES" (Gr. from stylos, a column), " pillarists," " holy birds," "air martyrs," and several similar names—a very remarkable class of anchoretieal ascetics (see AscE.Ticism), chiefly of Syria, who, with a view to separating themselves more completely from earth and fellow-men, took up their abode on the tops of pillars, on which they remained without ever descending to earth, and exposed to all the variations of a Syrian climate. The earliest of them, and the most cele brated, Simeon (called also Simon) the Stylite, had been a monk, and had lived, in the beginning of the 5th c., in extreme seclusion in his monastery for nine years, with out ever moving from his narrow cell. Increasing in enthusiasm, he withdrew to a place about 40 in. front Antioch, where he built a pillar. on the top of which, only a yard in diameter, he took up his position. From this pillar he removed to several others in suc cession, each higher than its predecessor, till at last he attained to 40 cubits, or about 00 ft. in height. In this mode of life he spent 37 years, his neck loaded with an iron chain, and his lips engaged in constant prayers, during the recitation of which he bent his body so that his forehead touched his feet. His powers of fasting were no less marvelous; he is said to have frequently limited himself to a single meal in the week, and during the 40 days of Lent abstained entirely from food. The fame of his sanctity brought crowds of pilgrims from the most distant countries, even Britain itself, to see hint; and the admiration of his austerities is said to have converted many pagans an Saracens to the church. In trial of his virtue, through the test of humility, some neighboring monks
reproaching him with vanity and the love of novelty in this extraordinary mode of life, ordered him to come down from his pillar. Simeon prepared without hesitation to CORP ply, and the compliance was accepted as an evidence of his perfect humility and nes=, of purpose. It is said that in consequence of an ulZer which was formed on one of his legs, he was obliged for the last year of his life to remain on his pillar upon one foot. In this position he died in 460, aged 72 years. A disciple of Simeon, named Daniel, suc ceeded to his reputation for sanctity, and to his mode of life, which he maintained for 33 years, in the still more trying climate of the shores of the Bosporus, about 4 m. from Constantinople. The marvels of Daniel's career are still more startling. He was some tunes almost blown by the storms of Thrace front the top of his pillar. times for days together lie was covered with snow and ice. How he sustained life, what nourishment he took, was a mystery even to his disciples. The emperor al; length insisted on it cover ing being placed over the top of the pillar, and Daniel survived till the year 494. In Syria there were many pillar saints as far clown as the 12th c.; but in the west, Daniel is all but a solitary example. A monk minted Wulfrtilich, near Trier, attempted the pillar life in the 6th c., but the neighboring bishops compelled hint to desist, and destroyed his pillar.