A Life of Extreme Devotion

The Serbian Orthodox Church and its faithful celebrate the feast day of Venerable Simeon the Myrrh-Bearer today. Also known as the Stylite, this revered figure was born in Antioch in 522 AD during the reign of Emperor Justin I. His early life was marked by tragedy; his father died in an earthquake, leaving Simeon to be raised by his mother, Martha. By the age of six, driven by a profound spiritual calling, he retreated into the desert under the guidance of a spiritual father named John. There, he dedicated himself to rigorous fasting and prayer, astonishing all who witnessed his ascetic lifestyle.

Simeon endured severe demonic temptations but received great comfort and grace from the Lord and His angels. Christ appeared to him in the vision of a handsome youth, igniting an intense love for God within Simeon's heart. For many years, he lived atop a pillar, constantly praying and chanting psalms. Following divine instruction, he later moved to a mountain that the Lord called "Wonderful," which earned him the epithet "the Myrrh-Bearer" or "of the Wonderful Mountain."

Miracles and Spiritual Gifts

Due to his immense love for God, Simeon was granted rare spiritual gifts. He could heal any illness, tame wild beasts, and see into distant lands and human hearts. He reportedly experienced ecstatic states where he left his body to gaze at the heavens and converse with angels. He frightened away demons, prophesied future events, and could go for thirty days without sleep or even longer without food, sometimes receiving sustenance directly from angels.

His life fulfilled the Savior's words: "He who believes in me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these will he do" (John 14:12). In 596 AD, at the age of seventy-five, Simeon passed away, entering eternal joy in the presence of God.

Traditional Customs for Good Fortune

On this feast day, believers observe two symbolic traditions believed to bring good luck. The first involves taking out household trash three times. Ancestors believed this ritual prevents illness from entering the family home. The second custom concerns unmarried girls hoping to find a partner. Early in the morning, they make a flower wreath and place it on a river or stream. It is believed that if the wreath floats, they will find a man who will cherish them and marry them within the year.