St. Symeon of Emesa

St. Symeon was a sixth-century Syrian who, after venerating the holy places in Jerusalem, took monastic vows at the monastery of Abba Gerasimus and spent some twenty-nine years in the desert near the Dead Sea with his friend and fellow ascetic John.

He then went to the city of Emesa, where he feigned madness so that his holiness would remain hidden, enduring insults and beatings while secretly casting out demons, healing the sick, feeding the poor, and turning sinners to repentance. He reposed in his hut after three days of unceasing prayer, and his Life was recorded in the seventh century by Leontius, Bishop of Neapolis in Cyprus.