Page:Early Christianity in Arabia.djvu/94

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EARLY CHRISTIANITY

his hands, are compared to a river that flows on with a constant, never-failing stream.[1]

Simeon, who, from the mode of life in which he is said to have passed part of his days, was named Stylites,[2] was by birth an Arab,[3] and was initiated into the monastic life by Maras, bishop of Gabala.[4] His name was famous even among the Sabæans of Yaman[5] and his friendship was courted by the Arabian chiefs.[6] Amongst the number of his converts were the idolatrous inhabitants of the mountains of Libanus;[7] the Christians of Arabia were supported and increased by his miracles and his eloquence, and it was his boast that they were respected equally by the wandering robber and the ferocious wild beast.[8]

  1. Πετρος μεν ουν οὑτως επισκοπος των παρεμβολον εν Παλαιστινῃ πρωτος χειροτονιται. ἡ δε των Σαρακηνων πληθυς, ισα και ποταμων ῥευμασιν αενναων επερρει και οἱ νυν προσιοντες, τους φθασισι προσετιθεντο και ουτοι παντες τῃ σφραγιδι του βαπτισματος σημειουμενοι, τῃ των Χριστιανων ποιμνῃ συνηριθμουντο. Euthymii Vit. p. 231.
  2. Simeon, we are told, stood upright on a column twenty-two cubits high, for five years. Cosmas, Acta S. Simeonis, in Asseman. Acta Martyr. Orient. tom. ii. p. 365.
  3. In regionis Nachipelorum vico, quem Sisan adpellant, in Arabia natus. Acta S. Simeon. p. 261.
  4. The Kalaba of Procopius; the remains of the castle exist on the banks of the Jáláb.
  5. Acta S. Simeon, pp. 278, 347.
  6. Id. p. 345.
  7. Acta S. Simeon, p. 320-323.
  8. Nec Arabum latronum nos quisquam offendit, nec bestia