Aleppo, September 2, 2026
antiochian.org
The pillar on which St. Simeon the Stylite once lived in ascetic isolation has been restored in Aleppo, Syria, coinciding with his feast day and the start of the Church New Year.
The rebuilding capped off a week of events called Light from Aleppo, organized by the Archdiocese of Aleppo and Dependencies. On September 1, the saint’s feast day, the Archdiocese led hundreds of pilgrims to the ancient Monastery-Cathedral of St. Simeon in the Mount Simeon region under the theme Following in the Footsteps of Saint Simeon, reports the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America.
The celebrations, held under the patronage of His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim (Maalouli), who heads the Archdiocese, included restoring the pillar where the 5th-century saint practiced his asceticism and repentance. The structure had suffered damage from earthquakes and general destruction over the centuries. Organizers say its rebuilding stands as a witness to spiritual resurrection and renewed hope.
antiochian.org
Before the rebuilding, workers cleaned up and restored the ruins at the site, which played a role in spreading Orthodox Christianity and teaching the ascetic practices St. Simeon modeled for his followers.
His Grace Bishop Paul of Tarsus, who cares for Orthodox Christians in historic Antioch from southern Turkey, joined the evening prayer service along with other local Christian leaders.
Metropolitan Ephraim thanked everyone who organized, supported, and took part in the celebrations, and asked for the prayers and intercessions of St. Simeon the Stylite.
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