This wonderful saint was born in Antioch in 522 during the reign of Emperor Justin the Elder. His father died in an earthquake and he was left alone with his mother Martha. At the age of six, he went into the desert to a certain spiritual father, John, under whose guidance he devoted himself to great fasting and prayerful asceticism, to the amazement of all who saw him.

Having endured terrible demonic temptations, he received great comfort and grace from the Lord and His angels. The Lord Christ appeared to him in the form of a beautiful boy. And after that vision, a great love for Christ was kindled in Simeon's heart. He spent many years on a pillar praying to God and singing psalms. By God's instruction, he then went to the mountain called Wonderful by the Lord Himself. Simeon himself was called Wonderful Mountain. In accordance with his love for God, he was given a rare grace, with the help of which he healed every disease, tamed beasts, saw into the distant corners of the world and into the hearts of men, went out of himself and looked into the heavens, talked with angels, frightened and cast out demons, prophesied, sometimes lived for thirty days without sleep and even longer without food, receiving food from the hands of angels. The words of the Savior were completely fulfilled in him: “He who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do” (John 14:12). In the year of our Lord 596, and in the seventy-fifth year of his life, Simeon presented himself to the Lord, to eternally enjoy seeing the face of God together with the angels.

The Holy Martyr Meletius Stratilatus. Venerable Nikitas the Stolypin.