St. Simeon - Qalaat Samaan   Dead Cities St. Simeon El-Bara Qalb Loze Al-maara Ebla Just 60 km from Aleppo by bus, the sanctuary dedicated to St. Simeon Stylites, is perhaps the most astonishing existing monument of Paleo-Christian art. Relatively well preserved, it still bears witness to the extraordinary popularity of this Saint, born in 386 in a village of the Amanus mountains, and who spent 42 years of his life on top of a pillar. It can be explained by the very special type of asceticism he practiced for so long, having lived chained inside an enclosure on the precise location where his martyrion is erected. Can you imagine the fantastic impact this obsessing human presence, flickering as a small flame, braving the elements, in a niche atop a pillar, could have had on these simple people - the peasants of Djebel Semaan and nomads of northern Syria. It is so important that the height of this column was increased, in many stages, from 6 to 36 cubits (about 3m. to 18 m.) and even more, in order to meet the wish of the Stylite to lead an almost extra-terrestrial life . The impressions in the eyes of pilgrims, must have been this impressive iron will and the severe mortifications this passionate soul imposed on itself. Thus he lived retired from this world, but paradoxically close to the daily life of the peasants for his very reputation of holiness, and consequently of wisdom, was such that they came to consult him and request his arbitration, or to hear his preaching twice a day. His example caused many conversions and miracles have been attributed to him. His reputation extended to the West, to Armenia and Sassanide Persia and pilgrims came from everywhere. After his death, his body was transferred to Antioch which angered the local population. Pilgrims still came however, and it is understandable why it became necessary, probably from 473, to erect an immense martyrion (church consecrated to a martyr), consisting of a complex of buildings around the pillar on which the Saint spent more than half his life. This pillar was in the middle of a vast octagonal building, but the basilica's layout had four wings, (i.e. three naves separated by two rows of columns formed a cross pointing to each of the cardinal points). Except for the oriental basilica (the only one with a three-apse chevet), the wings were no more than promenading platforms used for receiving the countless faithful. Between the east and south basilicas stood a large monastery with a chapel and various other buildings that today, are in ruins.     Previous
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