4th–5th c. (Symeon c. 390–459)

Symeon Stylites and Syrian monasticism

Syrian monasticism, unlike its Egyptian counterpart, resisted communal organization and gave rise to eccentric individual feats of asceticism. Theodoret of Cyrus celebrated such ascetics in his "Religious History" (c. 440).

Symeon Stylites left his monastery in 412. He first lived on a mountain and then for several decades atop a pillar, eventually raised to 18 m (60 feet). There he prayed continually. Pilgrims, bishops and even emperors flocked to him.

Jerome criticized such extremes among Syrian monks, while John Chrysostom called them "heaven's messengers."