Orthodox Icon of St. Simeon the Stylite & St. Martha

St. Simeon the Stylite with his mother, St. Martha COPYRIGHTED ART. Do not copy or deep-link to without prior permission from "Come and See" Icons, Books & Art.

St. Simeon - September 1st
Troparion (Tone 1)
O Simeon, righteous father, thou didst become a pillar of patience, and excel like the forefathers: Job in his sufferings, Joseph in temptation, and in the flesh wert like the bodiless ones. Intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Holy Father Simeon was the first to take up this particular form of ascesis: that of standing day and night on a pillar in unceasing prayer. His parents were common folk and he fled from them when he was 18 to become a monk. He fasted at times for 40 days. He grew in holiness and wisdom with great gifts of discernment, healing and prophecy. It is said that he started to stand on the pillar, because it was the only way for him to be alone in prayer with God, because of all the people that were constantly coming to him. His pillar was at first about ten feet tall, then twenty, then 35 feet; finally over 60 feet tall. On his pillar, he did warfare with the demons, overcoming them through his prayers. All classes of people came to his pillar. He healed many sick by his prayers. He gave comfort and instruction to some. Others he denounced for their heresies. The Empress Eudocia was brought back to Orthodoxy from the Eutychian heresy by one such rebuke. Twice, his mother, St. Martha, came to see him, but he would not come down from his pillar to greet her; saying: "Don't disturb me now, Mother dear, if we are to be worthy to meet in the next world." St. Simeon lived for 70 years and reposed in the Lord on September 1, 459. St. Martha is commemorated on July 4th. (More to come.)

This Icon is by the hand of Lasha Kintsurashvili from the Republic of Georgia. This icon is from St. Philip's Antiochian Orthodox Church, Souderton, Pennsylvania. Inscription is in Georgian.

Order #lkg-05