Have you ever heard of St. Simeon Stylites, the young monk who in the 5th century climbed on top of a pillar and stayed there for 39 years? I had, but never in my wildest dreams did I find myself at the bottom of his pillar, looking up, wondering how his life must have been.
Well, some things are meant to happen, and one day this week I found myself on top of a Syrian hill, listening to our Syrian guide telling the story about St. Simean and also the story of the church which were later built around his pillar.
St. Simeons piller used to be around 12 meters on its highest, today it is less than three. Still it was a mighty feeling, standing there, inagine what the life of the stylite must have been.
I felt at peace while walking around among the ruins of St. Simeon's church, Deir Semaan. Clean, fresh, windy. A good time for thoughts, for prayers, for being. A local young boy walked aroubd, selling fresh figs, but he seemed too shy to ask us foreigners to buy any from him.
From the hill the view was amazing. My thoughts could fly for miles and miles in every direction. It was something complete and satisfying in walking around. Me and my thoughts. The 16 others in my group close by, good friends, colleagues. But in it all, in the closeness of the group, in the mightyness of nature and ruins and history.......it was my and The Creator.
The church, which was built around St. Simeon's pillar,is built like a cross, with the apse bent a littløe to the right, just like you can see the head of Christ bent on the cross.
I could show you dozens of more photos, telling you a lot more from our visit. But it is time for breakfast here in my "Arabian Nights" hotel. I am hungry and I am eager for our day in Damascus to start.
See you!
