A native of Syria, from peasant parents. At the age of 18, he ran away from home and became a monk. After great feats, he surrendered to a feat previously unknown to him – to stand on a pillar day and night, in unceasing prayer. His pillar was 6 cubits high, then 12, then 22, then 36 and finally 40. His mother Martha came to see him twice, but he did not receive her. He suffered many attacks from demons. Then people began to gather around his pillar, both rich and poor, both kings and slaves. He helped everyone: he restored health to some, and rebuked someone for heretical beliefs. Thus, he turned Empress Eudocia away from the heresy of Eutychius. This first Christian pillar and great miracle worker lived for 103 years and died in 459.

Saint Joshua of Navin. Beginning of the Indictment.