Basilica of Saint Symeon the Stylite (Feastday September 1)

by Elias Khoury

And a blessed New Ecclesiastical Year to All!

The Basilica of Saint Symeon is one of the oldest surviving church complexes in the world, founded in the 5th century. It is located approximately 30 kilometres northwestern of Aleppo, Syria. It was constructed on the site of the pillar of saint Symeon the Stylite.
The church is locally known as either Qalaat Semaan (the “Fortress of Symeon”) or Deir Semaan (“Monastery of Symeon”).
A few decades following Saint Symeon’s repose, a large monastic church occupying over 5,000 square meters was constructed on the site where his pillar stood. The church was made up of four basilicas that emanated from the sides of a central octagon. The octagonal crossing was surmounted by a dome; at its center stood Saint Symeon’s column. 
Between the years /528-536/, a major earthquake occurred in the area and a great damage has been inflicted on the church, probably its wooden celling has fallen at that time.
The church was negatively affected by the Arab Conquest during the struggle for control of Syria between the Byzantines and the Arabs.
After the Muslims took the land, the church remained in the hand of the Christians in exchange for a tax, and it continued so until the Byzantines managed to retrieve the land again in the mid-10th century when Emperor Nicephoros conquered the Muslims in the year 970 and built a strong wall around it with 27 towers so the complex became a fortress.
Later the site was attacked and conquered by the Emir of Aleppo, who used the location to establish his rule and compromised the symbolism of the complex as a holy site but did not stop worshippers from continuing to visit the basilica to worship.
Nowadays the remains of the pillar of Saint Symeon still remains, despite having been whittled down to a block only a few meters tall from years of pilgrims cutting small parts for themselves as relics and blessings and many miracles happened through them through the intercession of Saint Symeon.
The Basilica is now deserted and left without care despite its priceless historical and spiritual value.
The Church of Saint Symeon stands today as a reminder of the great saints and ascetics that once dwelt in this land.