Back on January 5th of this year, I posted about Saint Simeon Stylites, so named for dwelling for years alone upon a very high pillar. Now we come to another pillar-dwelling saint, Daniel (also dubbed a Stylite).

Daniel, from the age of 12, fervently embarked on a monastic life. While part of his order, Daniel found himself presented with the opportunity to climb up Simeon’s pillar and to meet and converse with that saint. Simeon then and there blessed Daniel, and told Daniel that he would suffer much for the sake of Jesus Christ. After Daniel climbed back down that pillar, Simeon would continue to appear to him (visitation? dream? astral projection?) and advise Daniel’s life choices.

As a result, Daniel–when his abbot died and he was offered that choice position–declined to assume any position of authority. In time, when Saint Simeon died, one of Simeon’s disciples brought that Saint’s cowl to Daniel. From this act and receiving this treasure, Daniel decided to betake himself up to the top of a pillar as well, and dedicate his life to the worship of God from a lone and lofty height. Butler offers these details:

A friend erected him (Daniel) a pillar, which consisted of two pillars fastened together with iron bars; whereupon another lesser pillar was placed, on the top of which was fixed by other friends a kind of vessel somewhat like a half-barrel, on which he abode, encompassed by a balustrade. The country of Thrace [an area of southeast Europe, now split among Bulgaria, Greece, and Turkey] where he lived, was subject to high winds, and very severe frosts; so that his penance was more surprising than that of St. Simeon.

Daniel continued upon his life atop a pillar until, at age 80, he died. During his later years, Daniel was even consecrated as a priest: the old bishop of Constantinople came upon his pillar, read the prayers that had been placed at the bottom of that pillar, and determined himself to climb up those rocks, ordain Daniel, and receive communion from the Stylite’s own hand!

I admit to harboring a great fondness for these Stylites. They were Peculiar People, and they found their own way to worship God. They were not cowed by the expectations of others, and they embraced what could only have been for them an Adventure rather than some self-denying “ordeal.” And nothing about their way of living was an imitation of Christ’s own life!

What I don’t admire is the “party line” taken by the Church when it comes to discussing these Stylites. Butler aptly represents the view of “admire their faithfulness but don’t do as they did!”:

Though a love of singularity is vicious, and always founded in pride, sometimes extraordinary paths of virtue may be chosen in a spirit of fervour and humble simplicity, which is discovered by the effects. . . . The manner of living which a Simeon and a Daniel Stylites chose by an extraordinary inspiration and impulse of true piety and fervour, is only to be considered by us as an object of admiration; but the ardour, humility, and devotion with which they pursued the means of their sanctification, are imitable by all Christians. [emphasis original]

So being a dedicated, lowly drone that does what the Church tells you is great! Do it with the piety and fervor of a Simeon or Daniel! Just don’t get it into your head to be singular in your walk of faith, and for goodness’ sake, don’t feel good about yourself! Simeon and Daniel, well, they were special cases to be admired, not imitated. You? Stay away from pillars!