This saint is known as Simon the Wonderworker or the Wonderworker, and he is not Simon the Stylite or Simon the New Theologian. Saint Simeon the Wonderful was born in the city of Antioch in the middle of the sixth century AD to Christian parents. From an early age, he was inclined towards piety and love of God. When he reached adulthood, he abandoned the world and went to a monastery near Antioch, next to a mountain called “The Wonderful Mountain.” There is asceticism and He met a hermit named John and became his disciple. He learned from him the paths of perfection until he reached a sublime level of monastic holiness. He lived with his teacher for many years competing in practicing the highest Christian virtues. Silence, fasting, prayer, and monologue with the Creator were the foundation of their lives and the light of their holiness. Simeon took a tall pillar outside the monastery, and he lived there, eating the grass of the mountain, and he was constantly praying. Many monks became disciples of him, and the reputation of his holiness spread, so people began to come to him from all countries, bringing to him diseases of souls and bodies, and he used to guide them and heal them. God granted him the ability to perform miracles. As he healed their patients and expelled demons from their bodies with a word from his mouth or with the sign of the cross that he made on them with his hands.
The more people turned to him, the more humble he became and his senses became more muted. He often traveled in spirit to vast distances and appeared before sick people who were asking for his intercession, so he healed them. Simeon left many writings on spiritual affairs and guidance of souls. He also wrote several letters in which he refuted the heresies that appeared in his day. Saint John of Damascus attributes to him an article about venerating icons in which he explains how believers do not venerate wood, gold, copper, fabrics or paper in icons. They honor Jesus Christ, his pure mother, and the martyrs and saints represented by these icons.
Saint Simeon continued his angelic life on the pillar for forty-five years, during which he completed his holiness and performed miracles. Through the spirit of revelation, he knew the secrets of hearts and predicted future events until he fell asleep in the Lord in the year 596 AD.
Our Orthodox Church celebrates his feast on the twenty-fourth day of the eastern month of May (Western June 6) every year.
